This year’s First Lady’s Luncheon was the latest inspiration for designing with all American Grown Flowers. Farms from across the country shipped over 18,000 stems of gorgeous American Grown Flowers to a team of over 20 volunteer floral designers led by Kelly Shore of Petals by the Shore, Christy Hulsey of The Colonial House of Flowers and Margaret Lloyd of Margret Joan Florals.
The Certified American Grown program for the second year in a row sponsored this iconic Washington, D.C., event. An annual bipartisan tradition hosted by the Congressional Club since 1912 to honor the first lady of the United States, the luncheon was attended by a record 2,100 people, including Congressional spouses, associates of members of Congress and cabinet members.
During this year’s luncheon, I had the pleasure to meet and speak with the first lady and to encourage the White House to adopt an all American Grown Flower policy. My request was reiterated by the Congressional Club’s Luncheon Chair who took a moment during her remarks to acknowledge the beautiful American Grown Flowers and asked that “everyone, including the White House, support American Grown Flowers.” The request from the podium was met with resounding applause.
The White House has a long-standing tradition of featuring American wines and food at the White House and it’s my hope that such a commitment will be extended to sourcing all American Grown Flowers as well. It’s a wonderful practice that every room of the White House is filled with vibrant flowers 365 days of the year. I believe it would be an affirmation of American farmers, American agriculture and of beautiful American Grown Flowers if they committed to sourcing 100 percent American Grown Flowers in America’s home.
When the luncheon concluded I also had an opportunity to speak to second lady Karen Pence who had made special note of my request and encouraged me, as did the first lady, to write a letter requesting support for an all American Grown White House.
I had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group at the Certified American Grown table during the luncheon. Pictured left to right is Margaret Lloyd, Kurt Weichhand, Beth VanSandt, me, Rep. Ted Yoho, Christy Hulsey, Kelly Shore and Travis Rigby. Also seated but not pictured: Bill Frymoyer, Kasey Cronquist, Tim Dewey and Jerry Hagstrom.
First Lady’s Luncheon flowers displayed proudly
during the Congressional Club’s Open House
Founded in 1908, the original purpose of The Congressional Club was to provide a non-partisan setting for friendships among the spouses of members of the House and Senate in Washington, D.C. An active member is the spouse of a sitting or former Member of Congress, Supreme Court Justice, or Member of the President's Cabinet.
The activities of the Club have changed over the years. What was once a weekly program tea is now a bi-monthly luncheon featuring well-known speakers, musicians, and personalities. Red Cross work has been succeeded by Community Services. The Children's Party has become the family holiday party in December. The Club's largest social event is the annual First Lady's Luncheon, honoring the First Lady.
This month the beautiful American Grown flowers that were the talk of the First Lady’s Luncheon were proudly on display the following day throughout the Congressional Club. About 200 spouses of Members of Congress attended this Open House to support the Club and its fund raising activities. The centerpieces and linens from the Luncheon, as well as other items were sold to raise money for Charity. This year the beneficiary is the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving which is committed to building quality, long-term, home and community-based services.
The Congressional Club is rich in history and tradition, and continues to be a source of great pride to its members.
The Certified American Grown program worked with the Congressional Club’s First Lady's Luncheon Committee to help ensure that 100 percent of the flowers used during this year’s event were American Grown. With beautiful stems of flowers and greens from California, Oregon, Washington, Florida and Virginia, over 200 centerpieces and arrangements were created to fill the Washington Hilton Ballroom.
"This was a tremendous honor and opportunity for America’s flower farmers,” said Kasey Cronquist, administrator of the Certified American Grown program. “We commend the Congressional Club’s decision to seek and source blooms grown here in the United States for such a wonderful tradition of honoring our first lady.”
The bouquets featured beautiful American Grown roses, peonies, stock, tulips, lilies, protea, Bells of Ireland, alstromeria, bupleurum, dianthus, freesia, lisianthus, ranunculus, viburnum, waxflower, ferns, leatherleaf and curly willow.
The centerpieces were designed by Andrea Gagnon of LynnVale Studios, a Certified American Grown farmer, floral designer and American Grown Council member. David Beahm Experiences of New York carried out Gagnon's vision and provided logistical support for this large and prestigious floral installation.
Each year, the luncheon supports a nonprofit of the first lady's choice. Funds raised from this year's event will go to the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, an advocacy, research, education and service unit that provides support for both professional and family caregivers. Centerpieces were purchased by attendees to help raise those funds.
For more on the American Grown Flowers program, go to americangrownflowers.org.
