HOW SPEAKER J. DENNIS HASTERT RESCUED THE CAPITOL "CHRISTMAS" TREE FROM PC AIRHEADS

A great big thank you and Merry Christmas to the Speaker of the House, J. Dennis Hastert. In this era of PC gone wild, the Speaker stepped up to the plate to save the Capitol Christmas tree.

The Christmas tree is under the control of the Architect of the Capitol. The Architect reports to the Speaker. On Nov. 19, 2005, the Speaker sent the following letter to the Architect. Chris Taylor, Asst. Press Secretary to the Speaker was kind enough to email me a copy. Upon receipt of the letter, the Architect phoned the Speaker and asked if he really wanted to do this. The Speaker answered that indeed he did. And so, it was done. The Speaker had the power to order it done, but he made the suggestion and the Architect got the idea.

The Honorable Alan M. Hantman
Architect of the Capitol
SB-15 of the Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

I am writing to suggest that the annual Capitol Holiday Tree be renamed the Capitol Christmas Tree. The first Capitol tree in 1964 was designated a Christmas tree, as were most subsequent trees. I strongly urge that we return to this tradition and join the White House, countless other public institutions and millions of American families in celebrating the holiday season with a Christmas tree.

I fully understand your desire to make all holiday displays as inclusive as possible. There are many ways to accomplish this, and the Supreme Court has ruled that such displays in public buildings are fully permissible under the Constitution.

I look forward to working with you on this issue and hope you will consider my suggestion to restore this great tradition.

*****THIS IS THE NONSENSE THAT IS FINALLY ENDING *****

The 2004 Capitol Holiday Tree

Print Version

2004 Capitol Grounds Holiday Tree The lights on the U.S. Capitol Holiday Tree were lit during a ceremony held on Thursday, December 9, at 5 p.m. on the West Front Lawn of the Capitol. Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman served as master of ceremonies. The Honorable Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House, pressed the switch lighting the tree at dusk.

This year's tree is from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests located in Virginia. The 65-foot red spruce is decorated with 5,000 ornaments crafted by Virginians that symbolize the state; large, globe-shaped ornaments; and 10,000 lights.

The tree-lighting program included a performance by the Mountain Mission School Concert Choir from Grundy, Virginia. Blayne Braden, a seven-year-old from Monterey, Virginia, assisted Speaker Hastert with the lighting of the tree. Senator John Warner, (R-Va.), Senator George Allen (R-Va.), and Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) all offered holiday greeting to the crowd. In addition, the U.S. Air Force Band performed holiday favorites.

The Holiday 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 the end of December.

To learn more about the 2004 Capitol Holiday Tree and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, you may visit the tree's Web site (www.capitolholidaytree2004.org). Information about the history of the Capitol Grounds Holiday Trees is also available.

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