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Capitol Christmas Tree to Arrive Nov. 30

It’s almost that time of year, when the Capitol Christmas Tree will bring a little holiday cheer to the Hill.An 85-foot-tall blue spruce from Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona will take the place of honor this year and is set to arrive Monday, Nov. 30. According to the site, capitolchristmastree2009.org, this is the first time the tree is coming from Arizona. The site also claims that the tree, at 125 years, is older than the state itself. Smaller companion trees will be distributed throughout the Capitol Hill complex, although “Arizona’s Gift from the Grand Canyon State— will be the main attraction.A collection of 5,000 ornaments will decorate the tree, all of which will be made by people from across Arizona. The enormous spruce will be lit by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) at a ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Stephen T. Ayers, acting Architect of the Capitol, will be the master of ceremonies. His department will continue the recently implemented tradition of using strands of LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, which are considered environmentally friendly, to decorate the tree.“Each year, the arrival of the Capitol Christmas Tree kicks off a joyous holiday time,— Pelosi said in a statement. “This year, Arizona will be showcasing the Grand Canyon State with their magnificent tree and ornaments. May ‘the people’s tree’ light the way for blessed and happy holidays.— The Capitol Christmas Tree will be on display through New Year’s Day.

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