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(Austin) - Today, Nadine Craddick, wife of Speaker Tom Craddick (R - Midland), and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong unveiled the 2007 Capitol Ornament. The ornament is the 12th in a series that began in 1996 and was modeled after the White House Historical Commission's Annual Christmas Ornament Project.

Funds from the project have paid for the restoration and preservation of historic Capitol artwork, furniture, relics, exhibits at the Capitol Visitors' Center, and the development of curriculum for Texas' school children. To date, approximately $4.2 million has been raised.

"Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and I particularly enjoy being a part of all the charitable activities that take place at the capitol," Nadine Craddick said. "The Capitol Ornament Project supports two of the endeavors that are dearest to my heart - the education of our children and the preservation of our state capitol."  

This year’s ornament features the magnificently carved wood doors that you see throughout the halls of the capitol. Presented in three dimensions, the ornament depicts a set of interior doors with beautifully displayed embossed-glass door lights and transom. The delicate Victorian scroll work in each piece of glass surrounds the State Seal of Texas, which is prominently displayed in its center.

Historic photographs indicate that etched glass was installed in all interior locations calling for decorative glass. In the twentieth century, the decorative glass in the Capitol was sometimes broken and removed. During the 1990s Capitol Preservation Project, decorative glass was reproduced to better match the original.

"If you have visited Texas' Capitol building, then you have seen that these wooden doors are a hallmark throughout," Lance Armstrong said. "The attention to detail goes to show what great care went into the design of every aspect of this enormous structure. We are very lucky to be able to share in this historic building. This project is one way we can support its continued preservation and help educate our children about this history of Texas."

Beginning as early as November, a public service announcement publicizing the ornament will be aired on cable television stations across the state. This has been made possible through the Texas Cable Association, and its member companies, Time-Warner Cable, Comcast, Suddenlink, Charter Communications and Cable One, who are partners in raising awareness on this important project.

Lance Armstrong has long been known as one of the world's greatest cyclists, winning the Tour de France every year from 1999-2005. At the young age of 25, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer which had spread to parts of his abdomen, lungs and brain. He underwent aggressive treatment and beat the disease. Shortly thereafter, Armstrong created the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which is dedicated to leading the fight in finding a cure for cancer.