{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-thompson-recognized-austin-area-school-district-students", "Congressman Thompson recognized Austin Area School District students on the floor of the U.S. House", "2024-12-06", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "PA", "Glenn Thompson", "T000467", "thompson.house.gov", "thompson", "https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representative Glenn \u201cGT\u201d Thompson (R-PA) on Thursday recognized students from the Austin Area School District (AASD) for their contributions to the National Christmas Tree display.\n\nAASD in Potter County - Pennsylvania's smallest school district - was selected to decorate the Pennsylvania Tree, which is part of the National Christmas Tree display's \"Pathway of Peace\" south of the White House at the Ellipse.\n\nStudents from AASD's art class, led by teacher Mrs. Bethany Brown, created ornaments highlighting various experiences unique to Pennsylvania and Potter County.\n\n\"Austin Area School District students brought Pennsylvania's Christmas spirit to Washington, D.C., and highlighted what makes Potter County such a special place to live,\" Rep. Thompson said. \"I am incredibly proud of our students and their contribution to this cherished national tradition.\"\n\n\"Students were very excited to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,\" Mrs. Brown said. \"Potter County has so much to offer, and we are grateful for being chosen to highlight our outdoor region of rural Pennsylvania. Thank you, Congressman Thompson, for your hospitality and recognition of our school's contribution to the National Christmas Tree Display on the House Floor. My colleagues and I are proud to support and highlight our students' success and creativity.\n\n\"Having the opportunity to create a design that not only symbolizes me, but my school and the area around me is so special,\" said Breanna Gentzel, a student at AASD. \"I feel so proud to have been given this chance, and I hope that someone will see this ornament and agree with the beauty of Pennsylvania\u2019s land. I am also thankful to my teacher, Mrs. Brown, for introducing us to this idea and letting us be as creative as we want. This is a project that I will remember for a very long time.\u201d\n\nRep. Thompson Recognizes AASD\u2019s Contributions on the House Floor.\n\nThe National Christmas Tree Display is open everyday from December 7 through January 1, 2025. and the trees will typically be lit at sunset each evening.\n\nAASD Background: Austin Area School District in Potter County is the smallest public school in Pennsylvania. This school serves approximately 180 pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade students from the surrounding communities and excels in creating innovative, personalized one-on-one experiences for their students.\n\nNational Christmas Tree Lighting Background:\n\nEach year, the National Park Foundation and National Park Service present the National Christmas Tree Lighting on the Ellipse at The White House and President\u2019s Park.\n\nThis annual celebration, which started in 1923, is an event that brings together families, friends, and communities to celebrate the holidays in one of America\u2019s national parks.\n\nState Trees \u2013 \u201cPathway of Peace\u201d Background:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://thompson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-thompson-recognized-austin-area-school-district-students"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3433860149234533, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}