I want to
thank members of congress
their staffs and baseball
fans across the country
for supporting tonight's
congressional baseball game.

This game is always an
important moment for both
parties to come together,
to support charity, build
friendships and celebrate
our national pastime.

But as you all know
tonight's game has taken
on a much deeper level of
meaning, beyond anything
that we would
have thought.

By playing tonight you are
showing the world that we
will not be intimidated by
threats, acts of violence
or assaults on our
democracy, the
game will go on.

I want to take a moment to
send our thought, love and
prayers to Congressman
Steve Scalise and
his entire family.

Steve is our friend, he's
a patriot and he's a true
fighter, I know you all
will be playing extra hard
tonight for Steve, we pray
for all of the victims of
this terrible crime who
are still recovering
including Zachery Barth
and Matt Mika, both of
whom are respected and
cherished by so many.

We also praise, special
agents Crstyal Griner and
David Bailey of the
capitol police for their
heroic deeds that's
saved so many lives.

What a great job they did,
and we thank all of the
members of the Alexandria
fire, police and rescue.

In Washington we have our
disagreements but we all
agree that we are here to
serve this nation we love
and the people
who call it home.

That's the source of unity
and more than ever we must
embrace it, so that on
this special night I leave
you with three great
American words that for
generations have torn down
barriers, built bridges of
unity, and defied those
who have sought to pull us
apart, ladies and
gentlemen, lets play ball.