|
|
|
 | |
| | |
 U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE 2009
The
energy-saving lights on the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree are now all
aglow. Acting Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, LEED AP,
was the master of ceremonies at a ceremony
held on December 8. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House,
pressed the switch lighting the tree. She was joined by Kaitlyn
Ferencik, a 12-year-old who attends Canyon Ridge Elementary School in
Surprise, Arizona. Her name was drawn from the thousands of Arizona
students who made ornaments for the tree; granting her the honor of
assisting the Speaker with lighting the Christmas tree this year.
The
program also featured holiday music by the United States Marine Band,
and a special presentation by the White Mountain Apache Crown Dancers.
Senator John McCain and Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, as well as
Governor Janice K. Brewer, extended their holiday greetings to the
large crowd that gathered for the ceremony.
The 85-foot blue
spruce is from the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona. The
tree was felled in early November and made its trek to Washington,
D.C., by way of Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, and
Virginia. It arrived
at the U.S. Capitol on November 30. The tree is decorated with nearly
5,000 ornaments crafted by the people of Arizona that symbolize the
state; large, globe-shaped ornaments; and 10,000 lights. For the 5th
consecutive year, the Architect of the Capitol is using LED lights on
the tree, which use little energy and are environmentally friendly.
The
lighting of the Christmas Tree has been a tradition at the U.S. Capitol
since 1964. The tree will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. each evening
through January 1, 2010.
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
