Capitol Hill Will Have "Christmas" Tree

The debate over what to call evergreens put up on public property at this time of year has now reached Capitol Hill. Today's St. Louis Post Dispatch reports that this year U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert will officially refer to the tree on the west lawn of the Capitol Building as a "Christmas Tree" when he flips the switch to light it. First erected in the 1960's, it has been variously known as "The Tree", "The Capitol Hill Christmas Tree", "The Holiday Tree", and "The People's Tree". Hastert wrote the architect of the Capitol, whose office is in charge of erecting the tree, saying he wanted the tree renamed even though "I fully understand your desire to make all holiday displays as inclusive as possible."