[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11032]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




COVETED TROPHY GOES TO REPUBLICANS AFTER 41ST ANNUAL ROLL CALL BASEBALL 
                  GAME, AND CHARITY IS THE BIG WINNER

  (Mr. OXLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. OXLEY. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to hold the coveted Roll Call 
trophy for the victory last night at Bowie Baysox Stadium, where I want 
to thank our good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the 
host of the evening, for a wonderful time, the 41st Annual Roll Call 
Baseball Game between the Republicans and the Democrats for charity.
  The big winner last night really was charity. We raised over $90,000 
for the Boys and Girls Clubs and for the Literacy Council. It was a 
well-played game.
  I want to thank my cohort on the other side of the diamond, the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Sabo), for once again being a great 
sportsman, and the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Watt), the 
pitcher for the Democrats, a consistent player, and all of the 
Republican team for a great victory.
  Our MVP last night was the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus). He 
was extraordinary. I took him from behind the plate and put him on the 
mound. Nobody thought we could win after Steve Largent left; but the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Shimkus) was magnificent, and did not walk 
a hitter and only allowed one earned run. Our infield played solid, and 
our outfield, as well. We had some timely hits from a couple of 
unlikely sources, and we came away victorious, so of course I thank the 
Members so much for this.
  Let me also say how proud we were of the women on our team. 
Republicans have had women players now for the last 12 years, and I 
invite our friends on the other side of the aisle perhaps to find some 
capable women to play that game. We are the embodiment of title IX on 
the Republican side, and proud of it.
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. OXLEY. I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, let me simply congratulate the manager and the 
Republicans on a well-played game. They played incredibly well. Their 
defense was good, and they hit the ball hard. We will be back next 
year, but congratulations for this year.
  Mr. OXLEY. I thank my friend, the gentleman from Minnesota.

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