On the recordJuly 9, 2019
Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the city of West Jefferson in North Carolina's Fifth District on yet another successful Christmas in July Festival. For the last 33 years, the festival has taken place on the first weekend of July to celebrate Ashe County's vibrant and nationally renowned Christmas tree industry. The dedicated volunteers of the festival committee and board of directors bring together this wonderfully patriotic community around America's independence and the best Christmas trees in the country. As a former Christmas tree grower myself, I can attest to the importance of recognizing this often overlooked, yet highly significant, farming industry, not just during the Christmas season, but all year round. It is not only an honor to represent these patriots and tree growers, it is an honor for me to share this tradition with them every year. ____________________
