The 2002 United States Capitol Christmas Tree was lit by House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert during a ceremony held on Thursday, December 12, that was hosted by Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman, FAIA.

The 70-foot Douglas fir was selected by Architect of the Capitol landscape architect Matthew Evans in Oregon's Umpqua National Forest from among several candidate trees identified by U.S. Forest Service staff. It was erected on the west lawn of the Capitol in early December by Capitol Grounds workers, who also decorated it with 6,000 ornaments crafted by Oregonians, large colorful globes, and 10,000 lights.

The lighting ceremony featured performances by the U.S. Navy Band, conducted by Master Chief Jeff Myers; the Umpqua Singers, a 10-member student choir from Umpqua Community College led by Dr. Jason Heald; and the Congressional Chorus, directed by Michael Patterson.

In addition, Speaker Hastert was presented with a tree ornament by Ronald A. Sarasin, president of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society. The ornament was in the likeness of the Capitol dome and was made from marble from the original east front steps of the House wing of the Capitol building.

The tree arrived at the Capitol Grounds on December 2 after a 22-day journey on a flatbed truck. The Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol since 1964.

The tree was lit each evening through January 1, 2003, from nightfall until 11:00 p.m.

Information about the history of the Capitol Grounds Christmas Trees is also available.