Naming the Capitol Tree

Dec. 8, 2005 — -- What's in a name? Apparently a lot when it comes to naming a Christmas tree. Especially the 65-foot Engleman Spruce displayed on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

In recent years, the tree had been referred to as the Capitol Holiday Tree. But this year House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., wanted a change. He wrote to Alan Hantman, architect of the Capitol, requesting a return to the good old days.

"The first Capitol tree in 1964 was designated a Christmas tree, as were most subsequent trees," Hastert wrote. "I strongly urge that we return to this tradition and join the White House, countless other public institutions, and millions of American families in celebrating the holiday season with a Christmas tree."

Hastert is one of Hantman's many bosses, and therefore the architect shrewdly considered the speaker's request. The tree was renamed the Capitol Christmas Tree.

It was not the first time the speaker had raised his voice when the subject was religion. In 2000, the House was looking for a new chaplain and a bitter brawl broke out when the House Republican leadership disregarded a committee recommendation that a Catholic be appointed to the job, instead opting for a Protestant. Eventually a Catholic priest, the Rev. Daniel Coughlin, became the House chaplain.

And the naming of the tree is not the only "Christmas versus holiday" controversy to surface in the nation's capital this year. President Bush heard an uproar from some of his most ardent conservative supporters when he and the first lady sent thousands of White House cards with "Best wishes for a holiday season of hope and happiness," with no mention of Christmas.

The tree itself seems indifferent about what it should be called. It grew to maturity in the Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico. In July it was selected to be the Capitol tree and was cut down in November. It was then hauled on an extended flatbed truck to Washington, D.C., stopping at numerous towns across the country so curious onlookers could get a glimpse.

It is decorated with more than 10,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments made by the citizens of New Mexico, including schoolchildren.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and Hastert often have a difficult time agreeing on much of anything. But when it comes to the evergreen tree now majestically towering over the Capitol grounds, they are of one mind.

"In this holiday season let's say that we agree, a Christmas tree is a Christmas tree," Pelosi told reporters.