January 31, 2023
Manchin Applauds Selection of Monongahela National Forest to Provide 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Chairman
of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, applauded the selection
of West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest to provide the 2023 U.S. Capitol
Christmas Tree. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree – known as “The People’s Tree”
– lights up the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol during the holiday season and is
selected from a different national forest each year. Today’s selection kicks
off a year-long educational celebration with the theme “Endlessly Wild &
Wonderful” to connect people to West Virginia’s public lands.
“The
Capitol Christmas Tree is a wonderful, historic tradition that brings our great
country together during the holidays, and I am thrilled that the 2023 tree will
be from West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest,” said Senator Joe Manchin,
Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “The 2023
Capitol Christmas Tree will represent the wild and wonderful nature of the
Mountain State – including our remarkable forestry and wildlife – for the first
time since 1976. I’m grateful to the Forest Service for their hard work and
partnership on this event, and I look forward to celebrating this honor with my
fellow West Virginians and Americans.”
"It's
an honor to have a tree from our backyard selected as the official 2023 U.S.
Capitol Christmas Tree," West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said.
"This shines a positive light on West Virginia and I am thrilled in every
way. I also want to acknowledge the Monongahela National Forest officials for
their care of the forest. Without them, this would not have been possible.
Congratulations to all involved."
“The
annual journey is only possible with the help of strong partnerships throughout
West Virginia and beyond state lines,” said Bruce Ward, President of Choose
Outdoors. “We’re proud to welcome 84 Lumber back as presenting sponsor for
the second year and look forward to bringing people together to celebrate our
public lands, our diversity and the joy of the holiday season.”
“It’s
wonderful to have this opportunity to celebrate the diverse and complex natural
ecosystems and cultural heritage that thrive here in central Appalachia.
Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia really are endlessly wild and
wonderful, and we are excited to share these special places over the next year
on a national level, reaching both residents and folks who may have never
experienced our home among the hills," said Shawn Cochran, Forest
Supervisor.
Monongahela National Forest is partnering with the non-profit
Choose Outdoors to create a year-long conservation education campaign about the
mission of the Forest Service. As part of the campaign, the Forest Service will
travel throughout West Virginia and surrounding states with the tree in
November before delivering it to the Architect of the Capitol in DC.
To
learn more about the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, please click here.
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