House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Lights Capitol Christmas Tree

HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES AT U.S. CONGRESS: The state of Arizona provided this year's Capitol Christmas Tree. From left to right: Arizona's Governor Jan Brewer, 12-year-old Kaitlyn Ferencik (representing Arizona's children), Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Representative Ann Kirkpatrick participated Dec. 8, outside the Capitol, in the ceremony to light the tree. (Lisa Fan/The Epoch Times)

On the evening of December 8, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi lit the Capitol Christmas Tree located at the West Lawn of the Capitol.

Pelosi was aided in her duties by a representative of Arizona’s children, 12-year-old Kaitlyn Ferencik. Arizona Senator John McCain, Arizona Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick, and the Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. Acting Architect of the Capitol, Stephen Ayers spoke at the ceremony.

The Capitol Christmas Tree comes from a different state each year. This year’s Christmas tree is a blue spruce from the White Mountains of Arizona. It is 85 feet tall and 70 years old.

The tradition of the Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony began in 1964. This is the fourth year that Capitol Christmas Tree was decorated with the energy saving LED (light-emitting diode) lights. The various Christmas ornaments were decorated by hundreds of Arizona school children.

Speaker Pelosi said: “On the other side of the Speaker’s balcony, near where the President was inaugurated, are assembled some of our veterans from Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Hospital. Because of them, we do have liberty and justice for all. Please let’s acknowledge their service and sacrifice and that of their families to our country.”

Arizona school-children representative Kaitlyn Ferencik told the press  she wanted to be Speaker of the House someday. Speaker Pelosi said, “So what a coincidence, here we are: a once and future Speaker of the House. She and I will now have the privilege of lighting this tree.”