Nine-year-old Rose Burke, a quiet fourth-grader from Kenai, Alaska, lit up the Capitol Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol after winning an essay contest for Alaska fourth-graders. The event, which involved throwing a switch to illuminate an 80-foot Sitka spruce tree from the Tongass National Forest, was attended by a cheering crowd and accompanied by the U.S. Air Force Band.
Rose Burke , 9, won an essay contest , earning her a trip to the U.S. Capitol to throw the switch on the Capitol Christmas tree.
In unison, the 9-year-old and the speaker of the U.S. House counted down from five, and then Rose threw the switch. An 80-foot Sitka spruce from the Tongass National Forest lit up. The crowd cheered. The U.S. Air Force Band played “O Christmas Tree.” “And I said, ‘There’s a trip to Washington, DC … this is huge. You should try it,’” her mom, Laura Burke recounted. “So she agreed it would be worth trying.”is about the tree as a symbol of Alaska and a beacon of national harmony. She read it on the Capitol lawn, with a host of dignitaries present, federal, state and tribal.
Congresswoman Mary Peltola quoted that line in her own speech at the tree lighting ceremony. So did Sen. Lisa Murkowski. House Speaker Mike Johnson referred to it, too.
ROSE BURKE CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE ESSAY CONTEST NATIONAL HARMONY ALASKA
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