Republican lawmaker passes resolution to honor Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell, denigrating Shaquille O’Neal

by

The resolution by Kera Birkeland also proposes that “Spida” be the official state arachnid

(Photos courtesy of Utah House Republicans / Twitter) Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, right, introduces a resolution in support of Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell on the floor of the Utah House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 26, 2021. House Speaker Brad Wilson, R-Kaysville, left, wearing a Mitchell T-shirt while voting resolution.

| January 26, 2021, 6:12 p.m.

| Updated: 6:56 p.m.

Representative Kera Birkeland, a Republican representing Utah House District 53, on Tuesday introduced a resolution in the state legislature that seeks to “recognize Donovan Mitchell’s exemplary service to the Utah Jazz” and also “suggests considering the transformation of” Spida ”In the official state arachnid. ”

The House vote comes days after Shaquille O’Neal criticized Mitchell for a Jazz win over the New Orleans Pelicans, telling Mitchell “you don’t have what it takes to get to the next level,” while the hall The Lakers’ fame began inside the NBA interview.
House Resolution 3, entitled “House Resolution Honoring Donovan Mitchell over Shaquille O’Neal” refers to O’Neal’s free throw percentage, Kazaam’s Rotten Tomatoes rating, two Jazz series victories over the Lakers in 1997 and 1998, Shaq Video game Fu.

“I think it’s appropriate for the great state of Utah to award Shaquille O’Neal a technical foul,” Birkeland said, wearing a referee’s shirt as he spoke upstairs Tuesday morning.

“We’re not talking about 2000, 2001, 2002 or 2006 right now, the years when Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers and Dwayne Wade’s Miami Heat won championships for Shaq,” the resolution notes.

The resolution, in addition to denigrating O’Neal, also advocates for Mitchell’s achievements on and off the field.

“While Shaq’s ‘ability’ was greater than everyone else, Donovan was progressively successful through talent, dedication and constant effort,” the resolution says.

At the end of the introductory remarks, the resolution decides to recognize Mitchell’s service, calls on the State House of Representatives to consider transforming “Spida” into the official state arachnid and, further, “Aight. That’s it. “At the end of the text.

But Birkeland faced resistance from a handful of state lawmakers, who claimed O’Neal was a master of mind games and urged their colleagues not to take the bait.

“Not only did it get into Donovan Mitchell’s head, but I’m sure everyone who votes yes to this would rent some space in your head as well,” House Major Francis Gibson R-Mapleton said. “But I support our Jazz. I support Donovan Mitchell. ”

“Blah, blah, blah,” replied House Speaker Brad Wilson, who was wearing a jazz T-shirt. The resolution passed the chamber by a vote of 67-5.

Birkeland, in Morgan, is part of Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich and Summit counties. She was appointed by former Gary Herbert in April after former Rep. Logan Wilde resigned as commissioner of the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food. Birkeland was elected by a margin of 63/36 over Democrat Cheryl Butler in November.

Bethany Rodgers helped report this story.

.Source