ARNOLD PALMER RECEIVES CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

Arnold Palmer has received many trophies and awards for his prowess on the golf course, but he said Wednesday the two national medals he has received mean the most.

Mr. Palmer, who turned 83 on Monday, received his Congressional Gold Medal at the Capitol on Wednesday in recognition of not only his contributions to the game of golf but also his humanitarianism.

Congress voted to award the medal in 2009, but it has taken three years for the U.S. Mint to design and produce the gold coin depicting Mr. Palmer's image. As the honoree, he had some say over the design but didn't see the finished product until Wednesday.

During a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda, House and Senate leaders presented the medal, which is considered one of the nation's highest expressions of appreciation, matched only by the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which Mr. Arnold was awarded eight years ago.

The medal honors contributions to American history and culture as well as major achievements in the recipient's field. It's been awarded to war heroes, explorers, actors, authors, entertainers and others, including Jonas Salk, who developed the polio vaccine at the University of Pittsburgh; Roberto Clemente, the Pirates outfielder; and Gen. George C. Marshall, chief of staff during World War II and a Uniontown native, and Gen. Matthew C. Ridgway, the Korean War commander who retired to Fox Chapel. Mr. Palmer is the second golfer to receive the honor; the first was Byron Nelson.

To read the complete article, see: Gold Medal another ace for Arnie Palmer (www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/westmoreland/gold-medal-another
-ace-for-arnie-palmer-653087/)

Wayne Homren, Editor

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