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enced periods of dominance. The Democrats won the seven games played between 1948 and 1954, while the Republicans won the 11 games from 1964 through 1974. The game has helped ease political United States that regardless of the fact that we sometimes differ on party matters, that after all we love our country and our flag, and that like every boy in America, we love our great national game."32 1917 duringWWI, game proceeds went to the Red CrossWar Service Fund and in 1933, during the Depression, the funds went to the Community Chest for Relief of the Unemployed. In later years, the beneficiaries included a Summer Figure 7.Major League pitcher WilmerDavid "Vinegar Bend" Mizell served in theHouse of Representatives as a Republican fromNorth Carolina from1969 to 1975. Figure 8.Amember of Football Hall of Fame, Steve Largent served as a Republican congressman fromOklahoma from1994 to 2002. Figure 9. BaseballHall of Fame pitcher JimBunning served as a Republican fromKentucky in the House of Representatives from1987 to 1999 and in the Senate from 1999 until his retirement in 2011. tensions and develop relationships that cross party lines. Speaking on theHouse floor on May 24, 1948, Rep. James Richards (D–SC) said, in reference to the Congressional BaseballGame, that it "is a fine thing when two great parties of a great Nation, the greatest Nation on the face of the earth, can drop the care and worries of Capitol Hill, forget about the heat and temporary animosities of debate, and go out at night to the baseball field where the great American game is played. It is wonderful to get together and show the people of the 8 THE CAPITOL DOME Following the 2009 game, Rep.Mike Doyle (D-PA) discussed the competitive nature of the event; however, he added that the game provided him an oppor- tunity to develop unique and invaluable friendshipswith Republicans. Also, Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) referred to the game as one of the most bipartisan events on Capitol Hill. He said the game created great camaraderie and relationships with the members of the other party.33 Since 1909, the games have been For example, in played for charity.34 Camp Fund for needy children, the Washington Literacy Council, Washington Children'sHospital, and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington. In 2010, the game raised more than $150,000 for charity. Over the years, millions of dollars have been raised for local charities. Perhaps in some small way we, like the charities, are winners when members of Congress step out of a highly partisan environment and forge friendships and relationships that cross party lines.✯ WINTER 2012