“Let’s officially light the tree.”
Wisconsin’s 2006 holiday tree is decorated and all lit up in the Capitol rotunda. Speaking at the official tree lighting ceremony at the state Capitol building while parts of our state get hit with snow and cold temperatures, Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle says you can really feel the warmth of the holidays. “I don’t think there’s a greater setting for a tree anywhere in the United States than in this beautiful building.”
Doyle says people from near and far gather to see the 35-foot Balsam fir, which was donated by the Douglas County Forestry Department . “And this tree brings people from this state together to observe one of our time-honored traditions — the lighting of the holiday tree.”
State Senator Bob Jauch (D-Poplar) explains, the tree symbolizes the abundance of the beautiful natural resources that define Wisconsin’s landscape. Jauch says the tree’s ornaments were made by public and private school children in Wisconsin. “This year’s theme for the ornament decorations was ‘Color Wisconsin.’ Each ornament represents the heart and soul of the good people of Wisconsin. and helps us celebrate the meaning of the holiday season.”
A Wisconsin & Southern Railroad toy locomotive circles the base of the tree, which is adorned with 2,400 energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lights. The Governor was joined by first lady Jessica Doyle and his grandson Asiah.