STATE OF ALABAMA

Office of the Governor


BOB RILEY
Governor
 

Press Office

January 07, 2005

First Lady Patsy Riley Announces 2005 as “Year of the Camellia”

Listen to the Announcement

MONTGOMERY – First Lady Patsy Riley today announced that Governor Bob Riley has declared 2005 as the “Year of the Camellia” in Alabama at a ceremony at the State Capitol. To mark the special occasion, Mrs. Riley planted a camellia, the official state flower, on the Capitol grounds.

“Alabama is blessed with many ornamental flowers and the camellia is especially beautiful because it blooms during colder weather and provides bright color to winter gardens,” Mrs. Riley said. “I encourage Alabamians to explore the many unique public and private gardens throughout our state to learn more about the camellia and other flowers.”

The camellia planted by Mrs. Riley is an offspring of the original camellias planted by then-Governor John Patterson at the Governor’s Mansion when the flower was declared the official state flower in 1959.

Later this month, Mrs. Riley will attend the 65th Annual Camellia Show of the Camellia Club of Mobile and serve as a guest judge.

The text of the proclamation is below:

PROCLAMATION

By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, the Camellia Japonica has been enjoyed by generations of Alabamians for over 200 years, as a historically treasured plant that lives for over 1,000 years and possesses a unique habit of blooming throughout the winter; and

WHEREAS, in 1959 the Alabama Legislature voted overwhelmingly to adopt the Camellia Japonica as Alabama’s official state flower, which was signed into law by then Governor John Patterson; and

WHEREAS, the camellia is a unique attraction to winter tourists visiting our state from northern climates where they are unaccustomed to seeing such beautiful flowers blooming in the middle of winter; and

WHEREAS, our public gardens have experienced renewed public interest in their camellia collections in the wake of last year’s proclamation of the “Year of the Garden,” which introduced many new visitors to this magnificent flower; and

WHEREAS, the year 2005 will witness many more public events spotlighting the Alabama State Flower such as the annual camellia shows in Mobile (January 15-16), Birmingham (February 12-13) and other cities in the state, as well as the usual garden displays; and

WHEREAS, in honor of the state flower, First Lady Patsy Riley will plant some additional camellias on the grounds of the Alabama State Capitol today, in order that they may be admired and enjoyed by guests to the state capitol, both now and in the future; and

WHEREAS, it is hoped that citizens of Alabama will be encouraged to plant a camellia in their gardens and grounds, for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of the State of Alabama, do hereby proclaim, 2005 as the Year of the Camellia in the State of Alabama and encourage every citizen to celebrate our state flower through the planting and enjoyment of camellias throughout the year.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 7th day of January 2005.

Governor Bob Riley

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