December 9th, 2003

GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER AND MARIA SHRIVER HOST THE STATE HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver hosted the 72nd annual state Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at the State Capitol on December 9th, 2003. The event, open to the public, featured a variety of musical talent and the official lighting of the state Holiday Tree.

"I am pleased to join the people of California in celebrating this holiday season and thank all of the organizations and individuals that made this ceremony possible," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "This is a time for us all to focus on the importance of giving back to one another during this season and throughout the year."

The Governor and Maria Shriver both gave brief remarks. Country musician Randy Travis performed two songs for the crowd. Entertainment Tonight co-host Mary Hart served as the emcee for the event. The ceremony also included musical performances by the Sacramento State Horn Section, the Sacramento Choral Society, the Sacramento Children's Chorus and St. Paul's Baptist Choir.

"The holiday season is a time to remember the importance of Californians helping Californians not only during the month of December but year round," said Maria Shriver. "The value of giving back to those less fortunate is one my family has always taught and it is something I hope we all can embrace as we celebrate this holiday season."

The child selected to participate in the ceremony is Reese Hodge of Escondido, CA. Reese was born in 2001 with cerebral palsy. He participated in California's Early Start Program and currently receives speech, occupational and physical therapy among other services through the program. The ornament the Governor and Reese hung on the tree was made by the residents at Fairview Developmental Center in Costa Mesa.

The 59-foot white fir tree from the Sierra community of Camino in El Dorado County features approximately 4,000 lights. Approximately 1,000 of the 1,500 ornaments on the tree were made by persons with developmental disabilities. A crew of four people decorated the tree over the course of one week.