Every year a national forest is chosen to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree and this year, the Stanislaus National Forest was selected.

The 65-foot, white fir tree arrived in Sacramento on November 9 from Sonora. I had the opportunity to participate in the Christmas Tree celebration as part of a seven-day tour of California, prior to its 20-day journey across the country to Washington, D.C.

The national tree ceremony will take place on December 6 at the U.S. Capitol. It will be decorated by 5,000 ornaments handmade by Californians. House Speaker John Boehner will light it along with a child from Sonora, seven-year old Johnny Crawford.

Source: Olsen on the Issues - November 2011