[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11018]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           SEVENTH ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL WOMEN'S SOFTBALL GAME

  (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to celebrate the 
congressional version of the Women's World Cup Soccer team, the 
softball version.
  I am here with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, my 
teammates, my sisters who played valiantly in the 7th Annual 
Congressional Women's Softball Game.
  Congratulations to the women Members of Congress who beat the press 
in a shutout game, defending our title in back-to-back victories as 
Congressional Women's Softball Game Champions.
  I want to thank my teammates on both sides of the aisle. They have 
become my sisters and my friends throughout the whole season.
  It is always so amazing to think about what we do over 3 months with 
the incredibly busy schedules that so many of us have, coming out to 
practice at 7:00 in the morning, two or three times a week. We did not 
have a smaller turnout for practice than 10 Members at each practice at 
7:00 in the morning. And our hard work paid off.
  This is a game that, I know, many of you know is near and dear to my 
heart.
  I know that many of you know this. It bears repeating just because of 
the reason that we play this game. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 
7\1/2\ years ago, and today I am cancer free at 41 years old.
  It is really timely for us to be able to focus some attention on 
breast cancer in young women, given the USPSTF recommendations and the 
discussions that we are having around making sure that we pay attention 
and help young women focus on their breast health. That is what this 
game is all about.
  We are so proud to tell you that since we started this game 7 years 
ago, we have raised about $700,000 for the Young Survival Coalition. 
$200,000 of that was this game.
  Without the leadership and dedication of our board of directors and 
our organizing committee, this game and the money we raise would not 
have been possible.
  I want to specifically thank our board president, Kate Yglesias 
Houghton, and all the members of board: Atalie Ebersole, Natalie 
Buchanan, Tori Barnes, and Kristen Buckler. Also, a huge thank you to 
the members of the organizing committee: Jill Agostino, Sean Bartlett, 
Gary Caruso, Kayla Dunlap, Katharine Emerson, Ben Gerdes, Jenna Glazer, 
Kathryn Hamm, Erika Kelly, Jim Kiley, and Dana Paikowsky. A special 
shout-out to Eddie Perlmutter, who was one of our assistant coaches, 
and to our cheerleaders.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Alabama (Mrs. 
Roby), who for the second time this month and for the second time in 
the last couple of weeks is actually standing next to me.
  Mrs. ROBY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the 
gentlewoman from Florida's remarks.
  I also would like to thank all of our colleagues here in this Chamber 
today that have not only come out and supported us, but also supported 
the Young Survivors Coalition as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the survivors. Each member of this 
team played either in memory of or on behalf of someone who is 
currently struggling with the fight with cancer.
  So I would just say to mine, Rhonda McCall Walker, Mr. Speaker, who 
came from Alabama and attended the game, along with so many others, 
that we support these individuals. This is a really incredible thing 
that the Members of Congress do.
  Mr. Speaker, to the Bad News Babes, I would just say we are on it for 
next year, too. So keep your guard up.
  I would like to also recognize the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. 
Castor), who is the MVP. She played an incredible game. And ``most 
improved'' is the gentlewoman from Arizona, Kyrsten Sinema.

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