Reps. Barton (left) and Williams (center) on the field. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
"As a light rain trickled down Wednesday, Republican members of Congress returned to a baseball field where a gunman critically wounded teammate Rep. Steve Scalise and shattered their sense of security nearly a year ago," USA Today's Deborah Barfield Barry reports.
Today is an emotional day. But it's also a rebirth, a renewal. I'm proud of the team.— Texas Rep. Joe Barton, manager of the Republican congressional baseball team
- "'It just reminded us how precious life is, how short life is. You’re really not in control,' said [Texas Rep. Roger] Williams ... 'So I’m glad we’re here. I’m glad we’re starting again, but it’s an event… It will stay in my heart.’'"
- "Scalise ... underwent another procedure last week and could not attend the practice. ... [He] returned to work at the U.S. Capitol later Wednesday and praised his teammates for returning to practice."