The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Assembly passed a resolution Tuesday labeling the evergreen in the Capitol rotunda a “Christmas Tree,” four days after the Democratic governor said he was renaming it a “Holiday Tree” and decorating it with science-themed ornaments.
The resolution passed, 64-30, with 60 Republicans and four Democrats joining together to support it. All the “no” votes came from Democrats. It now moves to the Senate, which must pass it for it to have power. It does not require the signature of Gov. Tony Evers, the Journal Sentinel reported.
The tree itself is two stories tall.
“It is a Christmas tree. Everyone knows it’s a Christmas tree. Changing the name of the Christmas tree to anything else would be a political game,” said Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, a Republican. “And that’s what the governor did when he renamed it.”
The resolution says the state “respects all religious and cultural customs and is desirous of properly naming the publicly-displayed symbols of our state’s diverse holiday traditions out of respect for all traditions.”
“The decorated tree has been on display in the Capitol rotunda annually during the Christmas holiday season since 1916 and has been traditionally referred to as a ‘Christmas tree,’” the resolution says. “… The Wisconsin legislature…
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