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News / Sports

Sens. withdraw Paterno name for presidential medal

The Columbian
Published: November 9, 2011, 4:00pm

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Along with his job as head football coach at Penn State, Joe Paterno may also lose a shot at the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Pennsylvania’s U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, a Republican, and Bob Casey, a Democrat, said Thursday they are rescinding their support for Paterno’s nomination for the nation’s highest civilian honor, citing recent events at the school.

Republican Rep. Glenn Thompson also nominated Paterno earlier this year. His office didn’t immediately respond to messages left for comment.

The trio submitted his name in September, citing his contributions to athletics and higher education. Paterno was fired Wednesday amid a child sex abuse-scandal centered around former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

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