New Mexico was well represented and celebrated at the Dec. 4 lighting of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and New Mexico’s congressional delegation were joined by "The Voice" winner Chevel Shepherd to light the tree, which made the nearly 2,000-mile journey from Carson National Forest.
The tree’s journey began last month with a tour around the state. It then made stops in Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia prior to arriving at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, D.C.
Pelosi said that the tree, a 60-foot blue spruce, “represents the diversity of New Mexico and, therefore, of our nation.”
New Mexico Rep. Ben Ray Lujan said that the tree will cause people from around the country and the world to visit the state “so that they can see one of these for themselves.”
A national forest is selected annually to present a tree to be displayed at the Capitol.
Alerts Sign-up