christmas tree farms throughout the united states and they add to local state and national economies according to the united states department of agriculture's us to to stick service and the national christmas tree foundation yes there is a grand national christmas tree foundation there are approximately twenty five to thirty million twenty five to thirty million real christmas trees sold in the u.s. every year there are close to three hundred fifty million real christmas trees currently growing on christmas tree farms in the u.s. alone there are all planted by farmers on close to fifteen thousand farms and about three hundred fifty thousand acres are used as we said in our answer to our quiz the top christmas tree producing states are oregon north carolina michigan pennsylvania wisconsin washington state and there are over a one hundred thousand christmas tree jobs in the u.s. eighty percent of the artificial trees are made in china and there are of course made from non-biodegradable plastics they can be used for many years perhaps we need to buy a great degradable christmas tree although i guess it wouldn't last for that long certainly is not of long as the other the existing by the existing trees the ar

in a partnership with the national park service, the national parks foundation welcomes you to america's 95th national christmas tree. [applause] herest as we are gathered this evening, our national parks are truly common ground where americans come together and share the beauty, wonder, and inspiration of these places. we stand in all at the grand canyon at yellowstone and glacier. we feel our national spirit at the lincoln memorial, the statue of liberty, and mount rushmore. we are inspired by heroes at gettysburg, pearl harbor, the vietnam veterans memorial, and flight 93, and the examples of susan the anthony, martin luther king, and cesar chavez remind us of our struggle for equality. these places are our american inheritance. generationthat each passes to the next, the gift we give our children and our grandchildren. as the national park foundation prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, we know that protecting our national parks has never been the work of government alone. so much depends on the energy and commitment of local partners. season, and all seasons, i invite you to join us. supporting our parks

in partnership with the national park service, that national park foundation welcomes you to your first in america's 95th national christmas treeou. welcome. [applause] just as we are gathered here this evening, our national parks are truly welcome ground and common ground where americans come together to share the beauty, wonder and in duration of these great places. we stand in awe of the grand canyon and yosemite, at yellowstone and glacier. we feel our national spirit at the lincoln memorial, the statue of liberty, and not rushmore. -- mount rushmore. we are inspired by heroes at gettysburg pearl harbor, the vietnam veterans memorial, and flight 93. the examples of susan b anthony, martin luther king and cesar chavez remind us of our struggles for equality. these places are our american inheritance, the parks and historic sites that along to all -- that belong to all of us. the legacy that each generation passes to the next, the gifts we give our children, and our grandchildren. as the national park foundation repairs to celebrities 50th anniversary, we know that protecting the national parks has never been to work on gover

in partnership with the national come the national park foundation welcomes you to your first and a america's 95th annual christmas treewelcome. just as we are gathered here this evening, our national parks are truly common ground where americans come together and share the beauty, wonder, and inspiration of these great places. we stand and are at the grand canyon in yosemite. we feel our nationals spirit at the lincoln memorial, the statue of liberty, and mount rushmore. we are inspired by heroes at harbor, thepearl vietnam veterans memorial, and flight 93. in the examples of susan b anthony, martin luther king, cesar chavez, remind us of our struggle for equality. these places are our american inheritance. there parks long to all of us. each generation passes to the next. the gift we give our children and our grandchildren. foundationonal parks prepares to celebrate its 65th anniversary, we know that perfecting our national parks has never been the work of government alone. so much depends upon local partners working to support parks closest to their own communities. so this holiday season and all seasons i invite yo

national christmas tree lighting. i would like to thank the national park service, our rangers, and the national park foundation for theation and their help in making tonight possible. [applause] zinke: thank you. as americans, we can all agree that our national parks and public land are our greatest treasures. we encourage all americans to visit a part, a battlefield, or just enjoy the great outdoors this season. joint our public lands and celebrate the holidays are traditions of that bring all american families together. as a retired navy seal commander, i would ask everyone to say a very special prayer for our troops and their families. for many military families, a loved one will not be at the table this year. some are deployed, some are fighting overseas, while others have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms. to these brave patriots, we are eternally rightful and we want to extend a special tribute to our gold star family's. now -- thank you. [applause] zinke: now i would like to ouroduce a man who loves parks, loves our military, and loves our country. the man who brought merry christmas back to our nati