Braun
U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have introduced a bill to name a U.S. National Fossil, the mastodon.
Mastodon fossils are frequently found in Indiana and Michigan.
The mastodon lived more than 13,000 years ago in the Pleistocene era, predominantly on land that would eventually become the United States of America. A fully grown mastodon was over 10 feet tall, weighed more than 11 tons, and was preceded by pair of 16-foot-long tusks. Unlike its distant cousin the mammoth, the mastodon was found exclusively in the United States, with its bones being unearthed in every state across the continental U.S.
“Mastodons embody the spirit of exploration, resilience, and strength that exemplifies our great nation,” Sen. Braun said. “As a uniquely American symbol, mastodons inspire us to embrace our heritage and to protect natural treasures that define our country.”
The National Fossil Act:
- Section 1 designates the bill as the National Fossil Act.
- Section 2 establishes findings on the role of the Mastodon in American public life.
- Section 3 designates the Mastodon as the national fossil under Title 36 U.S. Code and makes necessary conforming amendments.