[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 161 (Tuesday, November 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2133]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS TREE

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                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2001

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share some exciting news 
from my district. I am delighted to report that the official White 
House Christmas tree is coming from a farm in my district. 
Specifically, the White House Christmas tree has been chosen from the 
Hill View Tree Farm in Middlecreek, Pennsylvania, which is owned and 
operated by Janice Bowersox and her son and daughter-in-law, Darryl and 
Aimee Bowersox.
  In order to achieve the honor of being designated the farm to supply 
the White House Christmas trees, the Bowersox family entered the 
National Christmas Tree contest, an event sponsored by the National 
Christmas Tree Association. The Bowersox family won the contest at the 
national convention in August 2000, where they were named Grand 
Champions. As the winner, Hill View Tree Farm became the chosen 
supplier of two Christmas trees for the White House.
  One tree will be set up in the Yellow Oval Room to serve as the tree 
for the Bush family. This is the tree under which members of the first 
family are likely to put their presents. This tree, from the Hill View 
Farm, is about eight feet tall and has been growing in the field since 
1989. The larger tree, which will be placed in the Blue Room, must be 
at least 18\1/2\ feet high. This larger tree will be the official White 
House Christmas tree. It is being supplied for Hill View Farm by Donald 
Craul of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
  The two trees will be cut and delivered to the White House the week 
after Thanksgiving. Janice, Darryl and Aimee Bowersox will present the 
official White House Christmas tree to First Lady Laura Bush at the 
White House on the morning of November 28.
  Hill View Tree Farm was founded in 1954. The farm has about 150,000 
Christmas trees growing on 120 acres. The Bowersox family grows Douglas 
fir, Colorado spruce, white pine, and concolor fir trees. According to 
Joyce Bowersox, winning the White House Christmas tree contest has long 
been a family goal. Joyce Bowersox said she and her family are honored 
to be presenting this year's tree and thrilled to have received the top 
honor in the Christmas tree industry.
  I am delighted that a farm from my district was chosen to be a part 
of the White House Christmas tree tradition. I am happy for the 
Bowersox family, and I hope that the Christmas tree chosen for the 
White House will bring joy to the President and Mrs. Bush and their 
family.

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