Lynn A. Westmoreland: “millions play our national pastime for the love of the game, but only the truly elite can claim the title of world…”

“millions play our national pastime for the love of the game, but only the truly elite can claim the title of world champion. I have the great pleasure of representing Columbus, Georgia, home of the 2006 Little League World Champions. Our community beams with pride for these incredible young sluggers and slingers. The players for Columbus Northern are living the dream of every American boy who has ever slipped on a glove. In order to compete for the world championship, Columbus Northern first had to defeat the best Little League teams that the United States had to offer. Then, as the American champions in the World Series, Columbus Northern took on a tough and talented Japanese team. The game was a defensive struggle, allowing Columbus Northern to win 2-1 after a 2-run homer by catcher Cody Walker, who also caught the fastball of winning pitcher Kyle Carter. The champs recently met one of the Nation's biggest baseball fans, President Bush, when he was in Atlanta. The Columbus Northern team is on top of the world. It will have memories to last a lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I salute the players of Columbus Northern. Georgians and Americans are thrilled with their success, and we are more than a little jealous, but very thankful, that they get to live every boy's dream ____________________”