Paterno Will Speak at Republican Convention

Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno has been picked to deliver a seconding speech for Vice President George Bush at the Republican National Convention, triggering a controversy in Pennsylvania.

“I’m livid about it,” said state Sen. Robert J. Mellow (D-Lackawanna County). “The institution (Penn State) has received tremendous bipartisan support, and the tax dollars it receives are not Democratic or Republican tax dollars.

“I don’t think it’s proper. His private viewpoints should be reflected privately.”

Clark Reid, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee in New Orleans, said the names of those scheduled to give nominating speeches would not be released until Monday. But others at Penn State and in the state Democratic and Republican parties confirmed the decision to have Paterno speak.

“I think it’s a great thing for us, I think it’s a great thing for George Bush and I think it’s a great thing for Pennsylvania,” said Elsie Hillman, the chairwoman of Bush’s Presidential campaign in Pennsylvania.

“He (Paterno) is really well respected by the citizens of Pennsylvania, and I think he commands a lot of respect, and I think people in Pennsylvania will respond to his judgment.”