Many eyes were on the U.S. Senate during its historic Christmas Eve vote on landmark health care reform.

But some more exciting news came out of Washington one day earlier, when the U.S. Department of Labor approved extending Trade Adjustment Assistance benefits to the 1,100 workers of the International Paper Co. paper mill.

The timing of the announcement couldn’t have been better, just days before a Christmas holiday that the families of 1,100 mill workers will more than likely be celebrating with some degree of fear and uncertainty.

But we hope the news of the benefits brought some hope and cheer as well, and a renewed sense of optimism for the New Year.