November 28, 2007

Christmas Tree Unveiled in the Texas House Chamber

(AUSTIN) - In keeping with tradition, Nadine Craddick, wife of Texas House of Representatives Speaker Tom Craddick, today unveiled the 2007 House Christmas Tree. The ornaments used to decorate the tree will be auctioned off and proceeds from the sales will benefit the Miracle League at Town & Country, a local, non-profit organization that gives special needs children the opportunity to play baseball in a league.

"Every year, these women outdo themselves with the decorations for the House Christmas tree," Mrs. Craddick said. "This tree is magnificent - something special for visitors to see when they pass through the capitol during the holiday season. I am also so pleased that we will be able to auction these ornaments and donate the proceeds from those sales to a worthy organization."

As they have three years prior, Kathy Harrison and Becky McCraney, owners of Miss Cayce's Christmas Store and More, in Midland, and their crew of elves decorated the tree. This year the tree is decked out to the theme of "A Very Merry Christmas." The ornaments are red, green and gold, and they run the gamut from large packages, giant red poinsettias, jingle bells, and tin Merry Christmas Signs in the shapes of stars and ornaments. Gold glitter laurel and holly surround the tree, as well as bows in red, green and gold stripe, and red and white harlequin.

This year, the ornaments were sponsored by the Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM). Once the holiday season is over, TAM will donate those ornaments to the Miracle League at Town & Country which will auction them off with assistance from Charitable Ladies.

"It is our hope that the funds generated from the auction of the House Christmas Tree ornaments will be used by the Miracle League for the completion of the Miracle League Field in Round Rock," Tracey Brown, treasurer and secretary for the Miracle League at Town & Country, said. "Additional funds will go toward player endowments to ensure that we will never say no to a child. We would like to thank the Texas Association of Manufacturers for their thoughtful donation."

Accompanying the tree is a new addition - a life size St. Nicholas. Standing at six feet, this St. Nicholas was designed and sculpted by Jackie Cruse of Creative Concepts by Jackie, in Post, Texas. Previously an award winning chef, Cruse began making these Santa Claus figures and other seasonal characters in the 1990s. His sculptures have been marketed by Neiman-Marcus, Jacobson's Department Stores, Boscov's Department Stores, the Washington Redskin's Football organization, Dallas Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones and QVC.

"As a native Texan and artist, it is a distinct privilege to share my work with my fellow Texas citizens," Mr. Cruse said. "I am deeply appreciative of the honor of having one of my Santa creations on display at our beautiful and historic state Capitol."

CONTACT
Alexis DeLee or Chris Cutrone at (512) 463-0223

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The Miracle League at Town & Country is a league for special needs children allowing them to play baseball. The Miracle League at Town & Country has played three seasons and games will be played at the Round Rock Express Miracle Field at the Town & Country Optimist Sports Complex located in northwest Austin. This state-of-the-art field will be especially constructed for special needs children. The Round Rock Express along with the Nolan Ryan Foundation purchased the naming rights to the field with a $250,000 donation to help construct the field and is involved in additional fundraising. The Miracle League at Town & Country at P.O. Box 200277, Austin, Texas 78720-0277. (512) 335 7434. http://www.austinmiracleleague.org/

The Texas Association of Manufacturers mission is to promote Texas' competitiveness in the global economy and to bolster the more than 900,000 manufacturing jobs that power the Texas economy. TAM works to educate legislators and regulators about how their decisions impact the manufacturing sector and high quality manufacturing jobs, with the goal of keeping Texas on the forefront of international competition.

Miss Cayce's Christmas Store/Show Me Decorating at 3323 North Midland Drive, Midland, Texas 79707. (866) 7-ShowMe. www.caycechristmasstore.com

Creative Concepts by Jackie, P.O. Box 313, Post, Texas 79356. (806) 239 3608.