Name: Gov. Cooper, NC elected officials join Speaker Nancy Pelosi to light the US Capitol Christmas tree
Uploaded: 2022-11-29T16:38:00-0500
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Description: Gov. Roy Cooper, with some state officials, joins Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday night to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. Once again, the tree was sourced from a North Carolina farm.

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Gov. Roy Cooper, with some state officials, joins Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday night to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree. Once again, the tree was sourced from a North Carolina farm. 

I am breslin, the architect of the capitol. I can tell you, I can't think of a better evening to have this ceremony the sunset earlier was just absolutely amazing. I'm honored to be here this evening as Speaker Nancy. Pelosi likes the 2022 Capitol Christmas tree. We are also honored to host kochi Mako tiger this year's youth christmas tree lighter and a citizen of the eastern band of Cherokee indians Lighting of the Capitol Christmas tree has been a festive tradition since 1964 And it's one We're glad to continue. We're pleased to host the 78 ft red spruce tree nicknamed ruby. This beautiful tree comes from the Pisgah National Forest in western north Carolina. American forestry can actually be traced back to this region. It was in this area known as the cradle of forestry where Guilford Pinchot was hired to manage the forest around the Vanderbilt estate. In the late 1880s Pinchot who later became the first chief of the U. S. Forest Service was recommended by Vanderbilt by Frederick Law Olmstead, the father of american landscape architecture and the designer of our capitol grounds. It is very fitting that a tree from this important region now graces the west front lawn of the U. S. Capitol grounds. I'd like to thank the U. S. Forest Service for finding and providing this beautiful tree for the U. S. Capitol. We truly appreciate their work each year to find a perfect candidate to serve as the people's tree. Thank you to everyone involved who helped make this festive traditional success, including my team in the heart of the capital and the north Carolinians who handcrafted all of these ornaments that decorate the tree. We truly appreciate your efforts to help bring this holiday spirit to Washington D. C. It's a pleasure to welcome all of our distinguished guests this evening are capitol hill neighbors and those of you visiting Washington D. C. Thank you for coming to celebrate this most wonderful time of the year at the United States capitol. Ladies and gentlemen, chief randy moore of the United States Forest Service. Good evening Speaker Pelosi distinguished guests. Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of the Forest Service and U. S. D. A. In general. Each year the capitol christmas tree comes from a different state from a different national Forest. This tree this year comes from the national Forest in north Carolina. The tree is a red spruce from the Pisgah National Forest and it comes from the spruce fir forest at the highest elevation in southern Appalachians. The theme for the tree this year is from the mountains to the sea. It's a reminder of the tremendous natural and cultural diversity in north Carolina. From the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forest in the mountains to the U. R. E. National Forest in the piedmont to the Croton National Forest in the coastal plains. This tree also honors the ancestral people who were first custodians of the force that came from the eastern band of the Cherokee indians helped bring this year. Uh, this tree this year, it's a reminder that we as people are diverse. That from diversity comes strength, strength as a people with common values and shared goals. So on behalf of the Forest Service and all the partners and volunteers who brought us this tree, I wish you a happy holiday season. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable Rory cooper governor of north Carolina. Well thank you. It's wonderful to be here celebrating the holiday season and this year's selection for the capitol christmas tree. North Carolina is on ruby. The red spruce from the Pisgah National Forest madam. Speaker, Senator Burr congressman uh mchenry congressman, Price kochi, the tire, entire north Carolina delegation. I appreciate the invitation tonight. My wife kristen, the first lady of north Carolina is here with me. We enjoyed being at the White House last week when president biden pardoned to north Carolina turkeys from the thanksgiving table with the president asking for our turkeys and Congress wanting our christmas trees. We only need a holly wreath for the door of the Supreme Court to claim the holiday cheer trifecta. It really is an honor to represent north Carolina here tonight for our state to play such a prominent role in our country's holiday celebrations this year in north Carolina. We are home to rich natural beauty, hardworking, creative people and vibrant, diverse communities were a reflection of our great country and we are at our very best When we come together to celebrate, reflect and look forward, thanksgiving christmas and the holidays mean a lot to north Carolinians and we've always appreciated the role that our state plays in helping americans celebrate just as this magnificent tree traveled to Washington from north Carolina, millions of trees every year find their way from the tar heel state to communities and homes across the nation. North Carolina is the second largest producer of christmas trees in the country, meaning that for millions of americans, north Carolina will forever provide a touch of christmas magic. That's a gift that we are so fortunate and grateful to give. The holidays are always a special time of year. But particularly during hard times when families and communities face struggles and challenges christmas and the holidays can be a reminder of our real priorities, our shared values, our friends and family and hope for the future. The last few years have been tough for americans and people around the world. But while we face these numerous challenges, I'm confident that our nation is poised to move forward stronger than ever. So this year, I hope americans everywhere will take a moment for themselves to be with friends and family, to appreciate life's many blessings and to feel confident in the opportunities that lie ahead. I'm excited to join this event tonight and I'm hoping for a merry christmas and a wonderful holiday season for people all over this great country and I'm excited that with ruby looking out over our capital, north Carolina can offer offer a little more christmas magic for everybody. Thank you very much. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable David Price, dean of the north Carolina delegation and representatives from the fourth district of north Carolina. Thank you. Good evening. Good evening and welcome to the U. S. Capitol christmas tree lighting ceremony. We're happy to be joined by the architect of the capitol representatives of the Forest Service Madam Speaker, governor, cooper, uh, my colleagues in the House and Senate and of course by Catchy Tiger and his family who in a few minutes we're gonna see Kaci flip the switch, north Carolina as has been said, is home to four breathtaking national parks national forests from the mountains to the sea Crowton pisgah. And you worry and I'm gonna add 1/5 because across the state line pisgah becomes Cherokee and that happens to be where I grew up with the Appalachian trail bisecting that those those two national forests. Um, this is um, this is a great natural treasure and it's entirely fitting that is, we look at this beautiful tree and what it symbolizes that we also rededicate ourselves to the preservation of our natural resources for, for generations to come. Um, This is the, uh, this is of course not a new thing for North Carolina. We've, we've furnished the tree before. It's been a while. But in, in doing this, we recognize how many Christmas trees are grown in our state, something like 850 Christmas tree growers. They produce 50 million trees on over 38,000 acres of land. That's second in the country. I don't know who's first, but that's pretty good. We, we really are in the christmas tree business. But of course, uh, people growing these trees, harvesting these trees, delivering these trees bring joy to millions of households. So I'm very, very happy to be here with ruby to be here with all of you and to honor this honor this occasion. We of course are honoring the spirit of the season, The goodwill, the uh, the diversity, the, the inclusion that are the values we hold dear and we're also thinking about future generations so that our natural resources are the treasures that we've been that we've inherited will be passed along intact. So in the spirit of the season, thank you for being here and thank you for letting us honor north Carolina in this very special way. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable patrick Mchenry representative from the 10th district of north Carolina. Well, merry christmas everyone. What a beautiful night. And what a beautiful gift that we all get to share in this. Wonderful bounty together. Um, as a proud north Carolinian. Uh, I wanna thank the governor, our senators, our congressional delegation for being here for this special occasion. Uh, one in four christmas trees in America are grown in north Carolina and they're shipped to every state in the union. That is a special thing that we get to give to the rest of the country. And it's a special thing that we get to recognize those hardworking men and women that grow those trees in western north Carolina. Um and I'm proud to be here to say thank you to a great 10th district of north Carolina business, the hardy brothers trucking and silo um and the husband and wife team of Ed and Debra Kingdom that did such a great job. Thank you so much for bringing the tree here and with such care and making sure that it was set up so wonderfully. I want to thank all the men and women that work on the capitol grounds to keep this place as beautiful as it is. And to make sure that we have such a beautiful tree that stands for the holiday season. Finally, uh, it is an evergreen tree and that's a sign of everlasting life and that is a special thing that we need to remember at this christmas season as well. I thank you so much for being here this evening merry christmas to you all and have a wonderful night. Ladies and gentlemen, the honorable richard burr, United States Senator from north Carolina. Thank you, Good evening madam Speaker Governor, my colleagues chief in north Carolina christmas trees do signify christmas, but madam Speaker, they also signify a cc basketball and we're at the start of that and that will carry us through this christmas season. I can assure you, I'm honored to be here tonight as part of this year's festivities in our nation's capital. I want to thank the forest service and the many people involved with the hard work to make this happen for decades. The capitol christmas tree has brought americans together by highlighting the beauty across this country from six rivers National Forest in California where last trees last year's tree came from to the stunning pisgah National Forest in north Carolina where this tree year's tree just arrived. We're blessed with force that are second to none at almost 80 ft. The spectacular red spruce not only exemplifies the beauty of Appalachia it serves as a reminder to americans of the magnificence of this country and all we have to be grateful for. I'm proud that this year's tree is from the great state of north Carolina and I know that Senator Tillis who's also here this evening is just as pleased as I am time and time again. Our capitol christmas tree reminds us of the importance of working together to be good stewards of our environment so that future generations can enjoy the bounties of our forest at christmas is still to come. I wish all of you a very merry christmas and a happy New Year. Ladies and gentlemen, the Washington performing arts, Children of the gospel a yeah, yeah right. The most kids belling and everyone telling you be a with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when hosting marshmallows. Wonderful. He had heart school. Wonderful. One instinct. Wonderful. Have bye. It's the most yeah, ladies and gentlemen, the honorable nancy Pelosi. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Good evening everyone. It is the most wonderful time of the year with the beautiful music and lighting of ruby tonight. Uh, speaker of the House is my honor to welcome all of you to the capital to participate in a proud patriotic tradition. The lighting of the capitol christmas tree. Thank you to governor Roy cooper. Thank you Governor for being with us And the north Carolina delegation. Senator, Senator Burr. Senator Tillis, I understand is here other members of the delegation, certainly congressman mchenry and are distinguished members of the House. David price. It's so appropriate that we are able to light this tree from north Carolina as his, one of his last gestures in congress as he goes home. Thank you David. And, and uh, and thank you Senator Burr for recognizing that last year was the California tree. We were happy to hand it off to north Carolina again. Thanks to randy moore the Forest Service chief and to Brett planting the architect of the capitol for making so much of this possible and for all of you who, who are responsible for carrying the tree here for getting it here. We're all in your debt. Let us applaud the United States Navy ceremonial band for their welcome. Thank you all so much. And the Washington performing arts Children of the Gospel for blessing us with their beautiful music. Thank you all so much. It's a thrill to be joined today by our youth tree lighter couch. E. A citizen of eastern Band of Cherokee indians as has been mentioned, County Tiger is a winning essay shares a moving story from Cherokee heritage about the origin of the mighty evergreen trees. After creating all plants and animals, our creator asked them to fast, pray and stay awake for seven nights, but at the end, but the end, only a few were still awake. The trees that stayed awake were rewarded with a viable ability to keep their leaves year long and with special healing powers. In a story of faith and gratitude of hope enduring through the dark night. And it's hope that we celebrate each holiday season that through the cold and dark winter, spring will sometime someday come. That's why in a moment of dismay and discontent. Nearly six decades ago, Speaker McCormick had an idea to place here a national beacon of hope, comfort and joy and ever since. In times of war and peace, hardship and prosperity. The spectacular capitol christmas tree has brought the american people together each year. This cherished tradition unites americans for um, all corners of the country, from the communities that encounters as the tree travels from the national forest to the capital to the families who make the privileges here too for the lighting of the staff as ling tree to the uh, all of those who have made these beautiful ornaments. It's a thrill today to be joined by our youth tree, lighter county Tiger, a citizen Again, as I said of the eastern band of Cherokee indians this year, the people's tree is 78 ft tall. Red spruce from the picturesque pisgah national Forest in north Carolina. This glorious tree is wonderfully decorated to reflect this year's theme from the mountains to the sea to calls to mind a timeless patriotic tune. God bless America from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam. God bless America. My home, Sweet home. Indeed the people's tree embodies these lyrics, a symbol of our nation's greatest strengths of beauty, diversity, and unity. So this holiday season as we behold this magnificent tree. It is magnificent and it's shining lights to come on. Now let us summon that deep patriotic spirit and join together as one. Now I would like I have the great honor of bringing forward couching Tiger. He is won the contest the essay contest. This is our V. I. P of the evening and to join me at the podium and to read your winning essay couching the stage is yours. Let us welcome him. Ghailani do not. Uh, charlotte googie do Hello everybody. I'm glad we are all here today. My name is and I make a two person and I'm nine years old. I am in the fourth grade at New Godo Academy. I am from Turkey north Carolina. My parents, I am from, I am from Turkey north Carolina. My home is in Bird Town community and my parents names are catering Katsuragi tiger and my brother's name is Charlene Googie. And now I'm going to tell you about the Cherokee legend of the evergreen trees. The forest has two types of trees, the evergreen which keep their leaves and stay green all year long empty. The situation which lose their leaves in the fall. Turkeys explain how this came to be when all the trees, plants and panels were created. They were asked to stay awake to fast and pray for seven nights to honor Nathan. On the first night they all stay awake. But the second night son fell asleep and the third night more dropped out. And so by on the seventh night, only a few were still awake of the animals. The all goo goo, the panthers, N A Z and a few few waters were still awake. These animals were given the power to see and go about in the dark to make prey of the birds and animals that must sleep at night of the trees, the spruce like ruby, the pine, the cedar, the holly, the hammock and the laurel were still wait to the end Nathan a he gave these trees the ability to keep their leaves and stay green all year long and the power to keep and the power to be medicine for the Turkey people. Therefore these trees are sacred and used for medicine by the Turkey people to this day. I hope you enjoyed the story and thank you for allowing me to share a part of my culture with you. I'm honored to be here to represent my tribe, my community and my family ski. Very good. That was great. That was great. Please members of the New north delegation please come forward so that we can all watch Kelci turn on the light. Here we go County right here and now we're going to do the countdown for the lighting of this marvelous tree. You ready start with 554321 Christie MS Christie the cool Theresa. Ladies and gentlemen mr Brett Blanton. Thank you for coming out to tonight's ceremony and joining speaker Pelosi, the governor of the great state of north Carolina. The north Carolina delegation. The Forest Service, the United States Navy ceremonial ban and young catchy in lighting the U. S. Capitol christmas tree. I wish you all a healthy happy and safe holiday season. Thank you very much. Mhm. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in place for the departure of the official party. Thank you for attending the United States capitol christmas tree lighting

Cory Dinkel

Gov. Cooper, NC elected officials join Speaker Nancy Pelosi to light the US Capitol Christmas tree

Christmas,Christmas tree,Nancy Pelosi,Roy Cooper,holiday season

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I'm meteorologist K Campbell in the wr a severe weather center starting a new week on Monday. So here's what to expect as you gear up for the new week. Rain chances will be climbing, especially Tuesday and Wednesday. We are going to get a nice little break from the heat this week. So enjoy the spring like weather while it's here with us no more nineties on our seven day forecast, I would say the best days to be out and about do anything outside look like they're gonna be on Monday and Thursday of this week. So here's this set up. We've got a lot of moisture and rain falling in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas. Right now, we're going to see all the moisture from this system and some of the energy make it to North Carolina starting Monday night, Monday during the day, things should be dry. We've got this area of high pressure overhead but we will begin to see an increase in cloud cover throughout the day. And then late Monday night, we'll see a warm front lift through the area that could generate some spotty light showers overnight into Tuesday. And then during the day. Tuesday, we've got more lift in the atmosphere. It's a cloudy day, a much cooler day and we should see rain on and off throughout the day. But rain is likely you'll at least get a period of rain. Tuesday. More than likely it's, there should still be some breaks in the rain at least. And then some thunderstorms could be mixed in as well. This is as far out as that high resolution model goes right now, but we've got a nice break from the heat coming our way. 79 is our normal high. This time of year, we're going to be near or slightly above normal most days. The exception is Tuesday with the highest rain chances, temperatures will be a little cooler just 73 for the high tonight. It's a cool night, really, comfortably cool. Enjoy it while you can. It's probably one of our last ones of the season. Upper forties to lower fifties across the area tonight. 50 Raleigh 49 in Rocky Mount. And for your Monday forecasts, ties are in the upper seventies for Roxboro and South Hill. 81. The high in Durham, Raleigh Rocky Mountain, Southern Pines, 82 degrees in Fayetteville and Goldsboro. Your seven day forecast looking pretty nice. But we've got rain chances coming our way Tuesday and we'll see some scattered storms on Wednesday as well. It's about a 60% chance Wednesday, but an 80% chance Tuesday, Thursday, rain chances are lower at just 20%. 82 degrees and partly cloudy Friday late in the day into Saturday, we could see some scattered storms move in. Not looking like a washout though. It does look like we'll have a drier into next weekend. 84 partly cloudy next Sunday.

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Yeah, welcome to Duke University's 2024 commencement ceremony. Please direct your attention to the end of the field and welcome the Duke University class of 2024. Now entering the stadium and throughout the processional march are the candidates for degrees from Trinity College of Arts and Sciences entering. Now are the candidates from the Pratt School of Engineering? Next, please welcome the candidates from the Sanford School of Public Policy. Now, the candidates from the Nicholas School of the Environment currently entering the stadium are the candidates from the Fuqua School of Business entering. Now are the candidates from the School of Nursing? Welcome the candidates from the Divinity School currently entering are the candidates from the School of law. Please welcome the candidates from the School of Medicine. Now, entering are the candidates from the graduate school.

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is holding its 2024 graduation ceremony Saturday evening. 

Gov. Cooper, NC elected officials join Speaker Nancy Pelosi to light the US Capitol Christmas tree

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