Glenn Thompson: “Tonight, one of the biggest Christmas events will take place in New York City: the lighting of the Rockefeller Center…”

“Tonight, one of the biggest Christmas events will take place in New York City: the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. This historic event has ushered in the holiday season since the first official tree lighting in 1933. Tonight's event is the 85th tree lighting, and while it will be a star-studded event with various entertainers performing on the plaza, the biggest star of all is from State College, Pennsylvania: the Christmas tree. The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce was chosen as the yuletide centerpiece. The 12-ton tree was trucked into Midtown Manhattan earlier this month from State College. Rockefeller Center's head gardener was visiting State College a few years ago for a high school football game. He saw the tree from the road and knocked on the homeowner Jason Perrin's door to ask about the spruce. Mr. Perrin is a Penn State graduate who worked for the State College Area School District for 17 years. He believes the tree is about 80 years old. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to State College's tree playing a starring role in tonight's festivities. Merry Christmas. ____________________”