Kenai fourth-grader Rose Burke had the distinguished honor of lighting this year’s Capitol Christmas Tree on the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Speaker of the U.S. House Rep. Mike Johnson assisted her.
Surrounded by powerful politicians just outside the historic halls of the U.S. Capitol Building, the nine-year-old Burke stood behind a podium before live television cameras to read her winning essay about the significance of the massive 80-foot Sitka spruce tree that was taken from Tongass National Forest.
“This Amazing Christmas tree is from my home state, Alaska,” Burke affirmed during the Dec. 3 ceremony. “Just like Alaska, it’s big and beautiful.”
In addition to praising Alaska’s “wild forests, gorgeous mountains, and beautiful glaciers,” Burke extolled the wonder of “our ferocious bears, massive moose, migrating caribou, breaching whales and soaring eagles.”
She ended on a patriotic note.
“People from all over our country come to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC. When they see this majestic Christmas tree, they will be reminded of our farthest north state. Though far away, we are united in love for our country,” she said. “May this Christmas tree fill those who see it with extreme joy and hope for the future of the United States of America.”
Speaker Johnson then assisted Burke as she flipped a handheld switch, which turned the colossal tree into a tower of Christmas lights.
Rose Burke is one of 12 children to Toby and Laura Burke. The conservative Catholic family is well known for its tireless pro-life advocacy and prominent roll in their local parish. Rose’s older brother Ed Burke is training to become a Catholic priest for Alaska.
Rose’s father once made national news himself, when he fought off an attacking brown bear during a family outing, using only a camera tripod and his bare fists.
Rose, who is enrolled in the Kenai School District’s Connections homeschool program, won the honor of lighting the tree after winning a statewide fourth-grade essay contest. She was able to travel to D.C. with her mother and two siblings. The Burke contingent was treated to VIP receptions, a visit to the Botanical Garden, the U.S. Capital and the White House, along with tours of the National Mall and other monuments.
Prior to the 60th annual tree lighting, Alaska’s political delegation spoke to the gathered crowd about the significance of this year’s tree and its nearly 5,000-mile trek, by land and sea, from the Tongass Forest to D.C.
U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski spoke, as did U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola and Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
Alaska’s leading politicians focused their comments on the size of the tree, it’s cross-country journey and the beauty of Alaska, while emphasizing that Christmas is a time for unity and hope among all people.
A group of Alaska Native leaders – dressed in tribal regalia – then addressed the crowd. They spoke of the tree as part of the “world who takes care of us” before offering a traditional blessing that included “talking to the tree people” and thanking them for the giant spruce.
Rep. Johnson’s remarks struck a decidedly different tone from the other speakers.
He noted that the star atop of the tree is “not unlike the one that guided the three ancient Wise Men to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. These Wise Men, looking to the star above in the East were filled with faith and hope and love, and they looked beyond the kings of the earth to see the birth of the King of Kings, Jesus of Nazareth.”
Johnson said Congress has a “duty, as representatives of the people, to follow the example of those Wise Men and look up for wisdom. To look to God our Creator who has so greatly blessed our nation. We look to him for guidance as we pursue the unity and wellbeing of the great and beautiful nation.”
Johnson noted that President Ronald Regan once observed, “Of all the kings who ever reigned, and all the parliaments that ever sat, none have done as much to advance the cause of peace on earth and good will to all men as the King of Kings.’”
Johnson added, “Because our country seeks peace, and because we seek the good of this nation, we ought to reflect this Prince of Peace in the way we live our own lives, and live as those who shine the light even in the darkest places.”
In addition to myriad lights, thousands of hand-crafted ornaments from Alaskans decorate the tree, which will be lit from dusk, each night, until Jan. 1, 2025.
5 Comments
This is AWESOME news and a well written piece!!!
Congratulations, Rose!!!
Congratulations Rose! You are a great example of God & our state!
This is a very uplifting story, from Rose’s essay to Johnson’s speech. Well done Rose’s! Many thanks to parents that homeschool their children.
A HUGE Congratulations to you Rose! What a beautifully written essay, and message to our nation! You truly shine the light of Christ in our world, God bless you!
It sure is a good thing that Princess had that tree sent across the nation.