24 years ago today, then Congressman, now Senator, Dick Durbin gave the most stirring speech in defense of America’s favorite pastime in the history of the United States House of Representatives.

“I don’t want to hear about saving trees, any tree in America would gladly give its life for a day of glory at home plate,” Durbin said backed by the cheers of his colleagues. “I don’t know if it will take a constitutional amendment to keep the baseball traditions alive, but if we forsake the great Americana of broken-bat singles and pine tar, we certainly will have lost our way as a nation.”

Go watch a Barons, Stars, Bay Bears or Biscuits game tonight in celebration.

What else is going on?
1. FBI admits to using drone surveillance in Alabama
2. Wetumpka Tea Party’s Gerritson slams Obama for ‘fake,’ ‘phony’ scandal monikers
3. Study ranks Alabama ‘most honest state’
4. Shelby derides ‘stale Obama policy leftovers’ during Senate floor speech
5. Liberal media criticizes Alabama PSC for opening meeting in prayer