On Tuesday afternoon, December 2nd, The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, presided over the Annual Congressional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the West Lawn of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. As the countdown echoed on the premises, Johnson, along with 9-year-old Grady Armstrong from Nevada, pressed the switch together to light up the 53-foot (approximately 16 meters) tall redwood Christmas tree from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest of Nevada, which marked the state’s first contribution of a Christmas tree to the nation.
In his address at the lighting ceremony, Johnson said, “I know for all of us, the Christmas season symbolizes the arrival of light, hope, and rebirth. This warm moment invites us to pause and reflect on the many blessings that God has bestowed upon us in life and this great nation. Tonight is a rare occasion for us to gather here and collectively cherish all these wonderful graces and blessings.”
Notably, Grady, a fourth-grade student from Virginia City, Nevada, was the winner of this year’s essay competition for the Capitol Christmas Tree, hence had the privilege to be present and participate in lighting up this significant Christmas tree.
Additionally, the US Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, the Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Stavros Anthony, the Architect of the Capitol, Tom Austin, the Director of the US Forest Service, Tom Schultz, and members of the Nevada Congressional delegation were also invited to attend the celebration.
Since 1964, the US Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony has become a tradition that gathers people to commemorate the holiday season in the spirit of unity and joy.