Special to the Herald

AUSTIN — While Christmas Day is almost upon us, State Rep. Joe Heflin, D-Crosbyton, and his wife, Linda, are inviting constituents who happen to be in the Austin area this week to celebrate the holiday season with a visit to the state capitol to see the 2009 Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree.

Currently on display in the House Chambers, the 20-foot, Texas native, loblolly pine is decorated with creative ornaments from house districts across the state, includiing District 85, which includes Howard County and is represented by Heflin.

Crosbyton artists Carolyn R. Dewbre and Vivian Morris decorated the District 85 ornament with silhouettes of agricultural and energy (wind and oil) products from the district. The ornament is filled with seed used for crops grown in the district – sunflower, yellow milo, millet, red milo and cotton — donated by Crosbyton Seed Company and Associated Cotton Growers.

The Heflins expressed their gratitude to the artists and donors for providing their talents and resources to give all Texans a taste of the unique culture and hospitality of West Texans.

Mrs. Heflin was able to hang the District 85 ornament on the Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree while helping decorate the tree on a recent trip to Austin.

Members of the Texas House of Representatives had been invited to decorate the 2009 Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree with an ornament created in their district to display the Texas-sized talent of their constituents state-wide. The unique collection of hand-crafted ornaments celebrates the many facets of the state, now home to 24 million people.

The ornament from House District 85, along with ornaments from other districts across the state, can be viewed on-line in the 2009 Ornament Book at  www.house.state.tx.us/resources/Ornament-Book-2009.pdf. The Lone Star Celebration Christmas Tree will be on display in the House Chambers until Jan. 6, 2010, so those visiting Austin following the holiday can also view the display.

Heflin may be reached at his Capitol Office in Austin, 512-463-0604; at his district office in Crosbyton, 806-675-1583; or in Big Spring at 432-213-2897.