A gift to the nation. That's how those responsible for
bringing this year's Capitol Christmas Tree to Washington,
D.C.
The 73-foot-tall, 74-year-old Engelmann spruce arrived in our
nation's capital Monday where it will serve as the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree –
The People's Tree.
"It's been quite an honor," said Scott Fitzwilliams,
supervisor of the White River National Forest in Meeker, Colorado where this
year's tree was harvested.
It was chopped down November 2, wrapped up on flatbed truck,
and driven on a 5,500-mile tour across 28 cities in 19 states.
"In a lot of ways, in some of the towns, it was very similar
to the Olympic Torch where people wanted to look at it. It was very
celebratory," explained Fitzwilliams.
That mood was echoed at the Capitol as Santa and Mrs. Claus
accompanied the tree to the West Lawn. They were greeted by a sea of news
cameras and admirers.
"I've lived here my whole life, and I've never seen them put
the tree up. So it's really exciting, it's beautiful, it's huge," said Jodi
Duke of Virginia.
But for Fitzwilliams, this whole cross-country journey has
been about more than just showing off the tree.
"For us, it's the message of conservation and the importance
of National Forests to America's strength and the greatness of this country,"
said Fitzwilliams. House Speaker John Boehner will flip the switch –
officially lighting
the 2012 Capitol Christmas Tree – on December 4. The tree
will be decorated with 3,000 ornaments made by Coloradans. This year's theme is
"Celebrating the Great Outdoors."
Monday, May 20 2013 5:45 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:45:38 GMT
Three Toledo families are still begging the Russian government to lift its ban on adoptions. Those families' plans to adopt Russian children were blocked in January. Part of their fight led them to Washington,
Three Toledo families are still begging the Russian government to lift its ban on adoptions. Those families' plans to adopt Russian children were blocked in January. Senator Rob Portman says he is doing what he can to put pressure on the Russian government and get the Obama administration to focus on the issue.
Washington lawmakers are working to pass immigration reform, but there's a hurdle: the link between immigration and terrorism. 13abc’s Washington Bureau Chief Jacqueline Policastro sat down with our nation's first homeland security expert.
There have been more than 4,000 changes to the nation's tax code over the past decade, according to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. They're working to reform the tax code, but first they want to hear from those it affects most -- taxpayers.
Friday, May 17 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-05-17 22:13:08 GMT
The US Senate is considering more than 300 amendments filed on a huge immigration plan. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the amendments during several hearings before the bill goes to the full
The US Senate is considering more than 300 amendments filed on a huge immigration plan. The Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on the amendments during several hearings before the bill goes to the full Senate.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:14 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:14:38 GMT
NB I-75 shut down north of Cygnet due to accident involving school bus
Around two dozen people were injured Tuesday night in a bus crash on I-75. It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75, just north of the Cygnet exit
The Boy Scouts of America will convene a two-day meeting of 1,400 local leaders to consider changing its long-standing ban openly gay boys belonging to the scouting movement.
The Boy Scouts of America will convene a two-day meeting of 1,400 local leaders to consider changing its long-standing ban openly gay boys belonging to the scouting movement.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:47 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:47:17 GMT
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Ohio state lawmakers moved boldly Tuesday against storefront sweepstakes parlors they have come to view as illegal gambling operations, advancing separate bills effectively banning
The bill to ban Internet cafes will head to the Ohio Senate floor today. Yesterday a Senate Committee overwhelmingly approved the plans. Two separate proposals would ban operations statewide and block new cafes until the ban takes effect. There are about 800 Internet cafes in Ohio.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:32 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:32:46 GMT
LOGAN, Ohio (AP) - State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural
State officials say safety improvements are planned after a third fatal fall from a cliff recently in the Hocking's Hills region of southeastern Ohio. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says signs warning hikers not to leave marked trails are being enhanced. Rangers also have increased trail patrols and are issuing more citations to people who stray from them
Wednesday, May 22 2013 7:26 AM EDT2013-05-22 11:26:32 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity
The three women held captive in a Cleveland house for about a decade say they are doing fine. That was the message in a letter released by their attorneys Tuesday that also noted a charity fund to help the women has now raised more than 650 thousand dollars.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:11:02 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:27 GMT
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit the families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit victims' families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:11:44 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness. Little
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness.
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