Capitol Christmas Tree

PRESS RELEASE USDA Forest Service Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests P.O. Box 640 Springerville, Arizona 85938 Phone: 928-333-3401 TTY: 928-333-6292

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jim Payne 602-525-2940

December 7, 2009

U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING - DECEMBER 8 Arizona’s Gift- a Blue spruce traveled over 4,600 miles to Washington, D.C. Washington, DC (December 7, 2009) – The Capitol Christmas Tree will be officially lit by Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and Kaitlyn Ferenick, an Arizona 7th grade student on December 8 at 5:00 pm (EST). Just before the annual ceremony a special ceremonial performance of White Mountain Apache Tribe Crown Dancers will be performed. Accompanied by drummers, the tribal dancers will honor its presence to the United States Capitol. Installed on the west lawn of the United States Capitol, the Blue spruce stands at 65-feet tall and will be displayed throughout the holidays. Arizona Governor, Janice K. Brewer, members of the Arizona Congressional delegation and the Capitol Christmas Tree 2009 Steering Committee will be on hand to preside over the ceremonial lighting. Decorated with 6,000 handcrafted ornaments by the school children of Arizona, the 70-year old conifer is also illuminated with more than 10,000 energy efficient LED Christmas lights. The ornaments reflect the theme: Arizona’s Gift From The Grand Canyon State. Students who participated in making the ornaments were also encouraged to craft their designs with recycled materials. The ornaments range from 9 to 12 inches tall and were created to withstand 3 weeks of potentially harsh winter weather. A stunning 85-foot Blue spruce harvested from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in Arizona was delivered to the United States Congress on November 30. Taller than a 7-story building at cutting, the Capitol Christmas Tree often called The People’s Tree, traveled more than 4,600 miles to its final destination: the United States Capitol. The historic journey to the United States Capitol featured a 10-day Arizona tour which took the tree to 28 communties. Events held in Arizona to honor the tree included choirs, parades, art projects and even an old-fashion western hold-up which was peacefully resolved by none other than Santa Claus. (more)

***Note to Editors: C-SPAN will broadcast live and local Washington, DC affiliates will cover the lighting ceremony. Please contact them for feed for your broadcasts in Arizona. Digital stills can be accessed through Jim Payne on Wednesday, December 9 by calling (602) 525-2940

FACTS ABOUT ARIZONA’S GIFT FROM THE GRAND CANYON STATE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE 2009 SPECIES:

Bl ue s pr uc e ( Pi c e a punge ns )

HEIGHT:

85- f e et at har ve s t, 65- f e et de l i ve r e d

AGE:

70 ye a rs ol d

DIAMETER OF TRUNK AT BASE: WEIGHT:

27 i nc hes

a ppr oxi m at e l y 9, 000 l bs a t h a r ve s t

WIDTH OF TREE AT BASE OF CROWN: HARVESTED FROM: HONORARY NAME:

30- fe e t

Apa c he- Si t gr e a ve s Na t i o na l For e s ts , Ar i z o n a Al do Le opol d Ce nt e n n ia l Tr e e

DISTANCE TRAVELED:

4, 600+ m il e s f r om Ari z o n a t o Wa s h i n gt o n , D. C. i n cl u d i n g vi s it s t o 28 towns a nd c o mm u n i ti e s i n Ar i z o n a

COMPANION TREES:

80 a ddit i onal tr e e s a re di s p l a y e d t hr o u g h o u t Ca p i t ol Co m pl e x of f ic e s

COMPANION TREE ORNAMENTS:

CAPITOL

TREE ORNAMENTS:

4, 000 ha n d c ra f t e d o r n am e n ts b y a v ar i et y or g a n i za t i o ns

6,000 handcrafted ornaments from the schoolchildren of Ari z on a

For more information, background information, photography and archive press materials visit www.CapitolChristmasTree 2009.org

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