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Word on the Hill: Capitol Christmas Tree Gets Lit

Holiday parties today

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Payette National Forest in Idaho was unloaded on the West Front of the Capitol on Nov. 28. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Payette National Forest in Idaho was unloaded on the West Front of the Capitol on Nov. 28. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

The Capitol Christmas Tree will light up at a ceremony this evening with House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers and the Idaho congressional delegation, because the tree comes from Idaho.

“We extend our gratitude to the countless individuals who made this a reality, particularly the Idaho students who hand-decorated thousands of Christmas ornaments, and the Payette National Forest officials who selected this year’s tree and ensured its safe arrival in Washington,” Idaho Sens. Jim Risch and Michael D. Crapo said in a joint statement.

[The Capitol Has Its Christmas Tree]

The senators added, “Thanks to their hard work, we are certain this year’s Christmas tree will be a very special addition to the U.S. Capitol. It’s an honor to share this special piece of our state with people from across the country.”

The lighting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on the West Front of the Capitol. Until Dec. 25, the tree will be lit each night from nightfall until 11 p.m.

Holiday parties today…

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, 6 p.m. in Capitol S-211. Registration is closed.

Republican Main Street Partnership, 5:30 to 7 p.m at 417 New Jersey Ave. SE. This party is invite-only.

CME, 6 to 9 p.m. at Zengo, 781 Seveth St. NW. Invite-only.

Toshiba, 5:30 p.m. in the Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Invite-only.

American Forest Foundation and the National Capitol Chapter of the Society of American Foresters, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Hart Senate Office Building, Room 902. RSVP: emiller@forestfoundation.org.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, 6 to 9 p.m. in the Eastern Market-North Hall, 225 Seventh St. SE. There’s an open invite online.

Microsoft Innovation & Policy Center, 6 to 8 p.m. at 901 K St. NW. Invite-only.

America’s Cement Manufacturers and the Cement Caucus, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 E Capitol St. SE. RSVP: pcagovernmentaffairs@cement.org.

American Gas Association, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Barrel, 613 Pennsylvania Ave. SE. RSVP: cmabaquiao@aga.org.

The Heritage Foundation, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE. RSVP: gerren.mcham@heritage.org.

American Trucking Associations, 7 to 10 p.m. in Charlie Palmer Steak, 101 Constitution Ave. NW. Invite-only.

Check out Roll Call’s full list of parties and a guide to navigating them. If your office is decorating for the holidays, send us photographs for an HOH shout-out. 

Curbelo does the mannequin challenge

Students from Florida International University came to the Capitol, met Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., and froze in time with the congressman.

Overheard

“At this rate I don’t know when I’m getting out of here.”

-Retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

Happy Birthday to…

Rep. Mia Love, R-Utah, 41.

What’s going on?

Have any tips, announcements or Hill happenings? Send them to AlexGangitano@cqrollcall.comBridget Bowman contributed to this report.  

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