House Proceeding 12-17-07 on Dec 17th, 2007 :: 0:10:00 to 0:14:41
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Speech By: Collin C. Peterson

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Collin C. Peterson: honored to rise as the house considers house joint resolution 15 to recognize the contributions of the christmas tree industry to the united states economy. as a christmas grower myself, i

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Virginia Foxx: can recognize this often overlooked yet highly significant farming industry. christmas trees have held an historic place in traditional american family values since 1850. just as importantly, christmas

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Speech By: Virginia Foxx

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Virginia Foxx: 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

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Virginia Foxx: producers of live cut christmas trees in the entire country. there are over 1,600 north carolina growers and approximately 400im christmas tree farms across the state. the north carolina

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Virginia Foxx: christmas tree industry is ranked second in the nation in the number of trees harvests producing over 19% of the real christmas trees in the united ates. north carolina has an estimated 50

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Virginia Foxx: million frazier fir christmas trees growing in over 20,000 acres, representing 95% of allpecies grown in north carolina. they're grown in north carolina's western counties, including alleghany,

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Virginia Foxx: ashe, haywood, henderson, jackson, make om, mitchell, -- may come, mitchell. the christmas tree is the most tree in north carolina america, frazier fir, and is shipped everywhere in the

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united states including the caribbean islands, mexico, japan, and other points throughout the world. the north carolina frazier fir has needle retention, a long-lasting aroma and more pliable,

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yet stronger branches for even the most heavier ornaments. through a contest sponsored by the national christmas tree association, the fir has been judged the nation's best and has been chosen

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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's my great privilege to say at a beautiful

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frazier fir grown by joe four-seaman and linda jones of meadow christmas tree farm sits in the white house blue room as this year's official white house christmas tree. the christmas tree

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industry supports or economy and the environment. christmas trees are grown in al50 states with north carolina, oregon, michigan, washington, wisconsin, pennsylvania, new york, minnesota, virginia,

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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

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Virginia Foxx: tree industry. 36 million live cut christmas trees are produced each year, and 98% are shipped or sold directly from christmas tree farms. live cut christmas trees are renewable, recycleable

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Virginia Foxx: resource. there are over 500,000 acres in production for growing christmas trees in the u.s., and each acre provides a daily oxygen requirement for 18 people. on average, over 1,500 christmas

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Virginia Foxx: trees are planted per acre providing abundant habitat for wildlife. it can take up to 15 years to grow christmas trees to retail sale height, a testament to the commitment growers have to maintain

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Virginia Foxx: a strong and healthy tree. 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.

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Virginia Foxx: 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

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Virginia Foxx: 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

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Virginia Foxx: 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

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Virginia Foxx: and women in uniform who are bravely and honorably serving our nation throughout this christmas season. i'd like to thank the chairman and ranking member of the committee on agriculture and

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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. st not just for its economic and environmental