The White House, President George W. Bush Click to print this document

For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
November 30, 2008

Mrs. Bush's Remarks During the Presentation of the White House Christmas Tree
North Lawn

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1:54 A.M. EST

MRS. BUSH: Well, here we are once again. This is the eighth time we've waited for the very first event of the holiday season, and that's when the big tree is brought. This is the Fraser fir for the Blue Room. It'll be the great big tree that this year will be decorated with ornaments from all around the United States, decorated by artists from all around the United States.

But this tree is from North Carolina. And I want to recognize the Christmas Tree growers from River Ridge Farms, Crumpler, North Carolina -- Jessie Davis and Russell Estes. They are both growers and they were picked by the National Christmas Tree Growing Association -- Growers Association, and they're represented here, as well, with Mark Steelhammer from the Christmas Tree Growers Association, the National Association.

Mrs. Laura Bush welcomes the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, to the North Portico of the White House. The Fraser Fir tree, from the River Ridge Farms in Crumpler, N.C., will be on display in the Blue Room of the White House for the 2008 Christmas season. Joining Mrs. Bush, from left are, Mark Steelhammer, president of National Christmas Tree Association, his wife Luanne, Carol Pennington, Ann Estes, Russell Estes of River Ridge Farms in Crumpler, NC, Michelle Davis, and Jessie Davis of River Ridge Farms in Crumpler, NC. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian So this is the first event of the holiday season, and as you all know there are many more to follow later this week. We'll announce what the theme is when I give you a tour of this year's decorations. I will have to say -- just a sneak preview -- that this is the perfect theme for this year. So I think you'll like it when we get to see it later this week.

So happy holidays. Thanks, everybody.

END 1:55 P.M. EST


Sue Harman drives a horse-drawn carriage delivering the official White House Christmas tree Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, to the North Portico of the White House. The Fraser Fir tree, from River Ridge Farms in Crumpler, N.C., will be on display in the Blue Room of the White House for the 2008 Christmas season. White House photo by Chris Greenberg
Sue Harman drives a horse-drawn carriage delivering the official White House Christmas tree Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, to the North Portico of the White House. The Fraser Fir tree, from River Ridge Farms in Crumpler, N.C., will be on display in the Blue Room of the White House for the 2008 Christmas season. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
Mrs. Laura Bush delivers remarks as she stands with the White House Christmas tree Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008, in front of the North Portico of the White House. The Fraser Fir tree, from River Ridge Farms in Crumpler, N.C., will be on display in the Blue Room of the White House for the 2008 Christmas season. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian

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