[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 195 (Wednesday, November 19, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8236-S8237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HUMBOLDT-TOIYABE U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE

  Ms. CORTEZ MASTO. Mr. President, today we celebrate a beloved 
national tradition of lighting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, known 
as ``the People's Tree.''
  This year marks a historic first for Nevada: The tree comes from our 
own Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the largest National Forest in 
the lower 48 States. Affectionately named ``Silver Belle,'' this 53-
foot red fir was harvested from the Carson Ranger District in northern 
Nevada. Over the last several months, Nevadans from across the State 
came together to make the thousands of ornaments that adorn the tree, 
bringing this year's theme, ``Starry Skies to Neon Lights: the Spirit 
of the Silver State,'' to the Capitol.
  This year's tree lighter is Grady Armstrong, a fourth grader from 
Virginia City, NV, whose winning essay captured all that the Silver 
State has to offer, from our national forests and public lands to our 
ghost towns and dark skies. Grady's love for Nevada is clear, and I am 
proud to have him here to light the tree.
  Silver Belle began its journey to Washington, DC, in Carson City, on 
November 1, at the Nevada Day Parade as the Great State celebrated its 
161st year of statehood. Over the course of nearly 3,000 miles, Silver 
Belle traveled from Nevada, making stops in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, 
Oklahoma, Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland bringing thousands of 
Americans together and sharing the Spirit of the Silver State with 
communities along the way. I want to thank the dedicated team at the 
U.S. Forest Service, the trucking crew from Knight-Swift Transportation 
for safely bringing Silver Belle to Washington, DC, Southwest Airlines 
for helping deliver thousands of handmade ornaments crafted by 
Nevadans, and every partner who made this possible.
  Nevada's public lands and forests sustain our communities, strengthen 
our economy, and inspire great pride in our State's natural beauty. As 
we celebrate this holiday season, this beautiful

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tree--Nevada's gift to the Nation--reminds us of the importance of 
stewardship, community, and the unity that defines the best of America.

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