This year's "People's Tree" will mark the Forest Service's centennial YearWASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the State of New Mexico will proudly present the 34th annual Capitol Holiday Tree to the nation, which will grace the lawn of the U.S. Capitol throughout the holiday season.
This year's tree is from the Cuba Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest, N.M.
A ceremony presenting the Capitol Holiday Tree, a 65-foot Engelmann Spruce to Capitol Architect Alan Hantman. After the presentation, the tree will be lifted from a decorated semi-trailer and set in a special tree stand on the west lawn of the Capitol.
Santa Fe National Forest Supervisor Gilbert Zepeda will officially
Present the tree to Hantman Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, 10 a.m. EST (Tree lighting ceremony will occur at 5 p.m. on Dec. 8, EST)
The tree will arrive on First Street, in front of the west lawn of the
Capitol and across the street from the Ulysses S. Grant memorial.
Reporters are welcome to attend the tree arrival ceremony. (B-roll of
the tree being cut in New Mexico will be available to reporters.)
The tree will arrive after embarking on a 25-day journey through 16 New Mexico cities and across the country to our nation's capital. Once
Secured on the west lawn of the Capitol, the tree will be decorated with 10,000 lights and showcase more than 5,000 handcrafted ornaments from New Mexico students, individuals and organizations. The Capitol Holiday Tree is separate from the nation's Christmas Tree, which is planted near the White House and is lit by the President.
www.capitolholidaytree2005.net and
www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/index.cfm. The tree's delivery can also
be viewed through a live webcam at www.capitolholidaytree2005.net.