PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- The festively lit spruce that will light the halls of the Rhode Island State House this December will have a more holiday-specific moniker this year, and one local clergyman is pleased with the governor's decision.

In a release sent Monday morning, R.I. Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced that the State House tree will be officially called a "Christmas tree" rather than the controversial "Holiday Tree" name it has had in the past.

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Chafee's past decisions to leave out the word "Christmas" were met with complaints and occasional outrage. Rhode Islanders took to the Internet to voice their dissent in 2011 and 2012, and some local churches followed suit with their own organized protests. In 2011, Tobin called the omission "disheartening and divisive," urging Chafee to reconsider "for the sake of peace and harmony in our state."

This year the protesters will get their wish, as Chafee said he hopes to direct people's attention to more important matters. In his statement, Chafee said the State House tree lighting - a "presumably happy event" - turned into a "focal point for too much anger."

http://www.wpri.com/news/local/providence/governor-chafee-deems-2013-tree-christmas-tree