Just last week, Republican Congressman and House Majority Whip Steve Scalise stepped foot onto Capitol Hill for first time since being shot during the GOP’s Congressional baseball practice back in June.

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Representative took another step forward and spoke at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference.

“Well, let me first say it’s great to see all of you and it’s great to be back,” Scalise began. “I continue to just let everybody know who prayed for me during those tough times, how much it meant. It was tremendously uplifting, and gave me and my family a lot of strength during those tough times.”

The Majority Whip then shifted to the issue occupying everyone’s mind.

“On that same token, Jennifer and I pray for the people that were involved in the Nevada shooting. Obviously [there] was so much loss of life and so many other people that are still injured today. Those families need our prayers right now, they need to be uplifted.”

But that’s not all they need, he noted.

“As people are saying, ‘What can we do to help?,’ we also need to remember that there is a tremendous loss of blood. Go to your local blood bank and just donate blood,” he encouraged those listening. “That alone can be a very positive sign, especially when you look at how much blood was lost and probably will need to continue to be used at the local hospitals as people continue to be treated.”

“There’s a lot that we need to pray for, surely the loss of life and those injured. Hopefully, those that are injured can get through their injuries and can get back to their families, so keep them in their [your] prayers,” he concluded.