WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) led the 60th annual Christmas tree lighting at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night.
“As this tree is placed in front of the Capitol, we remember that this is the People’s House and that means that this tree is truly the People’s Tree,” Johnson said.
The 80-foot Sitka spruce comes by way of the Tongass National Forest. The tree traveled more than 700 miles by sea and 4,000 miles by truck from Wrangell, Alaska.
“It’s fitting that this 80-foot Sitka spruce, a symbol of strength and endurance, was selected to represent not only Alaska but the enduring hope of the holiday season,” Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said.
The House Speaker was joined by Rose Burke a fourth grader from Kenai, Alaska who was selected to help light the tree on the west front of the Capitol. Burke won the Capitol Christmas tree essay contest and read her winning essay before lighting the tree.
“This tree represents all of Alaska,” Burke said.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas tree will remain on display until Jan. 1. It is lit every night from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.
