[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 193 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H15473-H15474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE INDUSTRY TO THE 
                         UNITED STATES ECONOMY

  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and agree to the joint resolution (H.J. Res. 15) recognizing the 
contributions of the Christmas tree industry to the United States 
economy.
  The Clerk read the title of the joint resolution.
  The text of the joint resolution is as follows:

                              H.J. Res. 15

       Whereas Christmas trees have been sold commercially in the 
     United States since the 1850s;
       Whereas, by 1900, one in five American families decorated a 
     tree during the Christmas season, while, by 1930, a decorated 
     Christmas tree had become a nearly universal part of the 
     American Christmas celebration;
       Whereas 32.8 million households in the United States 
     purchased a live-cut Christmas tree in 2005;
       Whereas the placement and decoration of live-cut Christmas 
     trees in town squares across the country have become an 
     American tradition;
       Whereas, for generations, American families have traveled 
     hundreds and even thousands of miles to celebrate the 
     Christmas season together around a live-cut Christmas tree;
       Whereas 36 million live-cut Christmas trees are produced 
     each year, and 98 percent of these trees are shipped or sold 
     directly from Christmas tree farms;
       Whereas Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Washington, 
     Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota, Virginia, 
     California, and Ohio are the top producers of live-cut 
     Christmas trees, but Christmas trees are grown in all 50 
     States;
       Whereas there are more than 21,000 growers of Christmas 
     trees in the United States, and approximately 100,000 people 
     are employed in the live-cut Christmas tree industry;
       Whereas many Christmas tree growers grow trees on a part-
     time basis to supplement their other farm and non-farm 
     income;
       Whereas growing Christmas trees provides wildlife habitat;
       Whereas, in 2005, Christmas trees were planted on more than 
     a half million acres of land;
       Whereas 73 million new Christmas trees will be planted in 
     2006, and, on average, over 1,500 Christmas trees can be 
     planted per acre; and
       Whereas the retail value of all Christmas trees harvested 
     in 2005 was $1.4 billion: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress 
     recognizes the important contributions of the live-cut 
     Christmas tree industry, Christmas tree growers, and persons 
     employed in the live-cut Christmas tree industry to the 
     United States economy.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. 
Foxx) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H.J. Res. 15.
  H.J. Res 15, a resolution introduced by Congresswoman Virginia Foxx 
of North Carolina, recognizes the success and importance of the live-
cut Christmas tree industry in the United States.
  It is an appropriate time of the year for Congress to consider this 
resolution, as I think that most of us here today have memories of 
decorating a Christmas tree during the holiday season. The live-cut 
Christmas tree industry ensures that this tradition continues every 
year for families across the Nation.
  Likewise, there are private forest landowners all across America for 
whom Christmas trees are an important source of income. Over 35 million 
live-cut Christmas trees are produced this year, and they are growing 
in all 50 States. Christmas tree growers are responsible land stewards 
who provide wildlife habitat, give us cleaner air, protect watersheds, 
and improve the environment.
  The economic strength and cultural contribution of this industry 
makes this resolution worthy of congressional support.
  I encourage the support of the resolution.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I am deeply honored today to rise as the House 
considers House Joint Resolution 15, a resolution I authored to 
recognize the contributions of the Christmas tree industry to the 
United States economy.
  As a former Christmas tree grower myself, I can attest to the 
importance of recognizing this often overlooked, yet highly 
significant, farming industry. Christmas trees have held a historic 
place in traditional American family values since 1850. Just as 
importantly, Christmas trees play a vital role in the North Carolina 
High Country's economy by providing jobs and livelihoods for thousands 
of North Carolinians.
  My district in North Carolina is one of the largest producers of 
live-cut Christmas trees in the entire country. There are over 1,600 
North Carolina growers and approximately 400 choose-and-cut Christmas 
tree farms across the State. The North Carolina Christmas tree industry 
is ranked second in the Nation in the number of trees harvested, 
producing over 19 percent of the real Christmas trees in the United 
States.
  North Carolina has an estimated 50 million Fraser fir Christmas trees 
growing on over 25,000 acres. Representing over 95 percent of all 
species growing in North Carolina, Fraser firs are grown in North 
Carolina's western counties, including Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Haywood, 
Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Swain, Transylvania, 
Watauga and Yancey.
  The North Carolina Fraser fir Christmas tree is the most popular 
Christmas tree in North America and is shipped to every State in the 
United States, as well as the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Canada, 
Bermuda, Japan, and other points all over the world.
  The North Carolina Fraser fir has soft needles with incomparable 
needle retention, a long-lasting aroma, and more pliable, yet stronger, 
branches for even the heaviest ornaments.
  Through a contest sponsored by the National Christmas Tree 
Association, the North Carolina Fraser fir has been judged the Nation's 
best and has been chosen for the official White House Christmas tree 10 
times, more than any other species, in 1971, 1973, 1982, 1984, 1990, 
1993, 1995, 1997, 2005 and 2007.
  It is my great privilege to say that a beautiful Fraser fir grown by 
Joe Freeman and Linda Jones of Mistletoe Meadows Christmas Tree Farm in 
Laurel Springs, North Carolina, presently sits in the White House Blue 
Room as this year's official White House Christmas tree.
  The Christmas tree industry supports our economy and the environment. 
Christmas trees are grown in all 50 States, with North Carolina, 
Oregon, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New York, 
Minnesota, Virginia, California, and Ohio being the top Christmas tree 
producers. Nationally, there are more than 21,000 Christmas tree 
growers, and more than 100,000 people are employed in the live-cut 
Christmas tree industry.
  Thirty-six million live-cut Christmas trees are produced each year, 
and 98 percent are shipped or sold directly from Christmas tree farms. 
Live-cut Christmas trees are a renewable, recyclable resource. There 
are over 500,000 acres in production for growing Christmas trees in the 
U.S., and each acre provides the daily oxygen requirement for 18 
people.

                              {time}  1215

  On average, over 1,500 Christmas trees are planted per acre, 
providing an abundant habitat for wildlife.
  It can take up to 15 years to grow Christmas trees to retail sale 
height, a

[[Page H15474]]

testament to the commitment growers have to maintain strong and healthy 
trees. The retail value of all Christmas trees harvested in 2004 was 
$1.4 billion. Live-cut Christmas trees have been sold commercially in 
the United States since 1850. By 1900, one in five American families 
decorated live-cut trees during Christmas. By 1930, the tree had become 
a nearly universal part of the American Christmas. For generations, 
American families have traveled hundreds and thousands of miles to 
celebrate the holiday season together at home around the Christmas 
tree. This year, more than 10,000 trees were donated to American troops 
by over 750 Christmas tree farmers across the Nation. These Christmas 
trees were delivered to over 37 bases across 19 States and over 15 
countries abroad to spread the holiday spirit to our men and women in 
uniform who are bravely and honorably serving our Nation throughout 
this Christmas season.
  I would like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the 
Committee on Agriculture and the majority leader for their assistance 
in getting this resolution to the floor. I urge my colleagues to 
support this measure, recognizing this important industry, not just for 
its economic and environmental impact, but also for its cultural 
contribution to the Christmas holiday. Thank you to Christmas tree 
growers across the country for their contribution to our economy, our 
environment, and our Nation's heritage.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I also yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Peterson) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the joint resolution, H.J. Res. 15.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the joint resolution was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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