[Pages H8651-H8652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE NORTH CAROLINA TRUCKERS WHO DELIVERED THE CAPITOL 
                             CHRISTMAS TREE

  (Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. FOXX. Madam Speaker, yesterday, on the west front lawn of the 
Capitol, we celebrated the lighting of this year's Capitol Christmas 
tree.
  The 78-foot red spruce named ``Ruby'' comes from Pisgah National 
Forest in western North Carolina.
  Madam Speaker, this magnificent tree did not magically appear at the 
Capitol. Proud members of North Carolina's trucking industry made this 
happen.
  Ralph, Eddie, and Ryan Hardy of Hardy Brothers Trucking in Siloam, 
North Carolina, adapted one of their trucks to carry Ruby. Harold and 
Deborah Kingdon drove the special truck on the 14-day journey to 
Washington to deliver Ruby.

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  Words cannot express how grateful we are for truckers everywhere, 
along with the State's countless farmers and growers. Truly, they are 
the backbone of North Carolina's economy, and they deserve our profound 
gratitude.

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