OKLAHOMA CITY — A Democratic lawmaker upset that a portrait of President Barack Obama hanging in the House chamber had been moved expressed outrage Thursday during debate over a measure targeting federal health care.
Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, said the Obama portrait that hangs in the back of the chamber had been swapped several times with a portrait of Democratic Gov. Brad Henry.
“I think it’s offensive,” said Shelton, who is black. “In my six years of being in the Legislature, it’s the most childish thing I’ve ever seen.”
Shelton said he believes a colleague in the GOP-dominated House moved the photo because he or she doesn’t like the picture appearing above them in video streamed live on the Internet while the House is in session. Shelton declined to identify the member.
House Speaker Chris Benge, R-Tulsa, said he planned to address the matter internally and also would not identify the member suspected of moving the portrait.
Benge said he believes members should respect the offices of president and governor, but said he doesn’t believe the portrait’s movement was racially motivated.
“I think it has to do with the liberal nature of the Democratic leadership in Washington and that they are so not in line with the average Oklahoman,” Benge said. “I do, however, think it’s important that the pictures remain where they’re placed.”
Shelton’s anger over the incident surfaced during discussion of a measure to send to a public vote a proposed amendment that would allow the state to opt out of any federal health care plan passed by Congress.
The measure was approved 77-10.
