San Jose councilman Lan Diep, a longtime comic book fan, took inspiration from a comic book great as he was sworn into office Tuesday.
Instead of a Bible, Diep chose to place his hand on Captain America’s shield—whose ideals he admires—as he was sworn in as a San Jose city councilman. He wanted to “bring a moment of levity to the proceedings” and proudly held the shield during the ceremony.
A routine council seat swearing-in might not get much attention outside of local news, but Marvel fans delighted in learning that a councilman used Captain America’s shield for his ceremony.
Yes, we have video of San Jose councilman @LTDiep taking his oath of office with a Captain America shield. https://t.co/eaQY69OEXY pic.twitter.com/0lWUfjZGAW
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) January 25, 2017
Armed with a Captain America shield, new #SanJose Councilman @LTDiep @SanJoseD4 was sworn into office at today's council meeting pic.twitter.com/aoNcGZh3Ka
— Ramona Giwargis (@RamonaGiwargis) January 24, 2017
https://twitter.com/TAlvaradoSJ/status/824009300221698049
California congressman Lan Diep @SanJoseD4 uses Captain America shield during swearing-in. Probably a good idea. pic.twitter.com/aD1870jkYy
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) January 25, 2017
#SanJose council member Lan Diep held Captain America shield as he was sworn in today. Says he strives for similar ideals as the superhero. pic.twitter.com/Sw4CTFImXb
— Ian Cull (@NBCian) January 25, 2017
“I think Captain America represents—embodies the ideals of America,” Diep told NBC Bay Area afterwards. “And those are the kind of things I’m hoping to strive for: Equal justice, fair play, and, democracy.”
We imagine he aligns more with earlier comic book versions of Steven Rogers and not the Hydra-infused current run.
While Diep plans to take his job seriously, he hopes that adding a bit of fun to local politics might engage more people and have them pay attention to it.
Whatever gets more people to pay attention to local government. #GovernmentCanBeFun https://t.co/AAlHkVqX4Z
— Lân Diệp (@LTDiep) January 24, 2017
Steve would be proud indeed.
H/T Inverse