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Walker Says It's A Christmas, Not Holiday, Tree

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker is calling the tree decorated with ornaments and adorned with a star at the top in the center of Wisconsin's Capitol Rotunda a Christmas tree, not a holiday tree.

The roughly 30-foot tall tree had been called a Christmas tree since it was first displayed in 1916 until 1985 when the name was changed to the more generic holiday tree.

The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation has opposed calling it a Christmas tree, saying it would offend nonreligious people and amount to a government endorsement of Christianity.

Walker spokesman Cullen Werwie says it's a Christmas tree and he doesn't know what more to say about it. The tree is on display from late November to early January.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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