[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 158 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2344-E2345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JIM AND CATHY THOMPSON AND THE TOWN OF KILLINGWORTH FOR THE 
                 1999 ROCKEFELLER CENTER CHRISTMAS TREE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 9, 1999

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
Thompsons and other residents of Killingworth, Connecticut who will 
provide a 100 foot tall spruce tree that will serve as New York's 
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. I am proud, as are the residents of 
Killingworth, of the special role our tree will play in the national 
celebration of the holiday season.
  This amazing Norway Spruce tree currently stands along side the 
farmhouse of Jim and Cathy Thompson. When Henry Marquard planted this 
tree 100 years ago, he never could have imagined its ultimate fate. But 
now the Thompsons find themselves the proud ``parents'' of what is to 
be the tallest tree in Rockefeller Center history.
  The tree was first spotted by helicopter last April and later 
selected by Rockefeller Center officials as the 1999 Christmas tree. 
Over the summer the huge tree was carefully maintained, despite a 
record-setting drought. The people of the small town of Killingworth 
also managed to maintain a huge secret. The public did not know that 
this tree would become the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree until this 
week. The secret broke when the state police began to guard the tree 
around the clock. It will soon be carefully cut down and transported to 
New York City's Rockefeller Center, where it will stand throughout the 
holiday season.
  The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is world-renowned. It has been 
capturing the

[[Page E2345]]

magic of the holiday season for generations. This year it carriers a 
special significance as the tree that will usher in the new millennium. 
We in the Third District of Connecticut are especially proud that our 
tree was chosen for this special year. We are also proud of how the 
tree will be used after the holiday season. At the conclusion of its 
stately reign, the branches will be mulched for use at a camp in New 
Jersey, and its trunk will be cut into sections for use at the U.S. 
Equestrian Center, where the U.S. Olympic team will practice.
  While the Thompsons, and the people of Killingworth, will surely be 
sad to see the tree leave home, they are undoubtedly thrilled that the 
world will see one of the many wonders of their small town. I rise 
today to acknowledge this once-in-a-lifetime event for the Thompsons 
and this great honor for the citizens of Killingworth.

                          ____________________