O, Christmas Tree! O, Illegal Immigrants that Help You Grow Straight and Tall!

So what kind of crap is the lame-duck Congress contemplatin' this holiday season? Stuff like House Joint Resolution 96, which recognizes the "contributions of the Christmas tree industry" to the well-being of these United States.

The resolution was introduced by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) and concludes after a long litany of industry-loving chestnuts:

…be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress–

(1) recognizes the important contributions of the live-cut Christmas tree industry, Christmas tree growers, and persons employed in the live-cut Christmas tree industry to the United States economy; and

(2) urges the Secretary of Agriculture to establish programs to raise awareness of the importance of the live-cut Christmas tree industry.

Whole text here.

I'll back that resolution the minute that Congress recognizes the important contribution of illegal immigrants to the growing, harvesting, and bringing-to-market of Christmas trees and other agricultural products. Reason did that last year, in this masterful story about "America's Criminal Immigration Policy" that punishes hard work and splinters families. For an op-ed version of the Christmas tree story, read here.