Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacies of two L.A. basketball legends, Jerry West and Bill Walton, who both changed the game in their own rights. Jerry West was a man of many names: The Logo, Mr. Clutch, Mr. Outside, and Zeke from Cabin Creek. He was also a man of many titles: player, coach, scout, and general manager, all for my Los Angeles Lakers. After a stellar college career in his home State, at West Virginia University, West was drafted second overall to the Lakers, beginning a career that would span over 40 years. As a player, West dominated the backcourt, garnering all-star honors in each of his 14 playing seasons and bringing home a championship in 1972. Upon his retirement, he came back to the Lakers as a head coach, then scout, and finally as an executive, where he truly thrived. West constructed the Lakers' 1980's Showtime dynasty, which helped bring the NBA into the mainstream, and won five championships. Toward the end of his tenure as general manager, he orchestrated the trade for Kobe and signed Shaq, leading to a championship in his final season with the Lakers and setting them up to complete a three-peat with two more in the following two seasons. While West later pursued other opportunities in the NBA, he will forever be a Los Angeles legend for his fierce loyalty and contributions to the team and our city.…”