WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA), and House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, introduced resolutions to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives celebrating the Eastbank Little League team for its World Series championship. This was the first time in history a Louisiana team won the Little League World Series.
Senator Cassidy also spoke on the Senate floor Tuesday to recognize the Louisiana team’s championship. See video of Cassidy’s speech here.
“Louisianans are known for our resiliency. That inborn never-give-up attitude is why they are champions,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Their win should make all Americans proud.” See video of the speech here.
Scalise delivered a speech Monday in the House recognizing the team on its accomplishment. See video of Scalise’s speech here.
“I’m proud to introduce H.Res. 547 to congratulate the Eastbank All-Stars from River Ridge, Louisiana, on winning the 73rd Little League World Series Championship. These young men are the first team from Louisiana to win the championship and represented the United States in an inspiring way on the world stage. I look forward to welcoming the All-Stars to Washington, D.C., as they head to the White House to celebrate their victory with President Trump,” said Scalise.
“The River Ridge Little League baseball team is really something special. These boys demonstrated a high level of sportsmanship and athleticism throughout the entire world series,” said Sen. Kennedy. “In the end, they brought home a Little League World Championship to Louisiana for the first time in history! They deserve to be showered in awards and accolades. In that spirit, I am happy to cosponsor this Senate resolution to congratulate this amazing championship team.”
Full text of Cassidy’s speech as prepared for delivery is below:
I rise today to recognize the Eastbank Little League team from River Ridge, Louisiana, for winning the 2019 Little League World Series.
This is the first time in history a Louisiana team has won the Little League tournament. We are still celebrating this accomplishment back home.
Egan, Reece, Marshall, William, Gavin, Jeffrey, Ryan, Derek, Connor, Ryder, Alton, Peyton, Stan, and coaches Scott Frazier, Kevin Johnson and Donald Abadie – you have made us all very proud.
The real story might not be the championship itself, but how they won.
After dropping their first game to Hawaii, the defending world champions, the Louisiana team went on to outscore opponents 44 to 8. They averaged almost as many runs per game as their opponents scored in total during that streak. That’s amazing.
One of those wins included fending off a comeback in a rematch against Hawaii for the American championship. I want to also commend the Hawaii team on their impressive season.
Louisiana then went on to shut out the Caribbean team 8-0 to bring the world championship home to Louisiana and the United States.
Louisianans are known for our resiliency. That inborn never-give-up attitude is why they are champions.
These young men from River Ridge faced adversity, and they conquered it, demonstrating character and sportsmanship through the ups and downs. Their win should make all Americans proud.
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