Exhibit CC 11-15-2011 Item No. 15 Community Tree Lighting C
Karen B. Guerin
From: hennig [fhennig @att.net]
Sent: Sunday, November 13, 2011 9:13 PM
To: City Council; Gilbert Wong; Mark Santoro; Kris Wang; Orrin Mahoney; Barry Chang;
rod @rodsinks.com
Cc: 'hennig'
Subject: "Community Tree"vs. "Christmas Tree"
Dear Cupertino City Council members,
I am a long-time resident of Cupertino (36 years), and want to express my thoughts about the
lighting of the "Community Tree", soon to happen at Quinlan Center.
Last year, and in years past, right after Thanksgiving, I was dismayed and saddened when I
drove down Stevens Creek Boulevard and saw the prominent sign along the street announcing
the lighting of the "Community Tree". To change the name of this holiday, and thus to remove
any semblance of recognition from its historic roots and traditions,
is a mistake, in my opinion.
Several years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that naming the holiday "Christmas"does not
constitute a violation of the church-state separation principle. The reason for avoiding the word
"Christmas"for fear of legal repercussions no longer exists. In the news, we read about the
lighting of the White House "Christmas tree", etc.
I urge you to restore the proper terminology to this holiday, and to light up a beautiful
"Christmas tree"in front of Quinlan Center this year.
Thank you for your consideration,
Mary Ellen Hennig
10149 Adriana Avenue
Cupertino, CA 95014
(408) 255-6382
fhenniaPatt.net
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