WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Tuesday evening, West Virginia’s congressional delegation, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and members hosted the annual lighting ceremony for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.
The tree, a 63-foot Norway Spruce, was harvested from the Monongahela National Forest in Randolph County, West Virginia, on Nov. 1.
“It is with great pride that we light a beautiful Norway Spruce from the Monongahela National Forest as this year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. This is certainly an honor for West Virginia and a task that we were eager to lend a hand on, as the people of our great state do,” said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. “I look forward to seeing this wonderful reminder of home, and sharing a gorgeous piece of our state with the rest of our nation this holiday season.”
The first U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree ceremony dates back to 1964, with the U.S. Forest Service providing each tree since 1970. West Virginia has produced the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree twice before 2023, in 1970 and 1976 respectively.
“I may be biased, but I think it’s the Capitol’s best tree yet!” said Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., who pointed out that many of the 5,000 handmade ornaments on the tree were created by children in West Virginia.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will be lit from sundown until 11 p.m. every day from Nov. 28 until Jan. 1, 2024. It is scheduled to be removed Jan. 3, 2024.