Kennedy, Astin to visit Penn State campuses to stump for candidates

Actor Sean Astin and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy will visit two Penn State campuses during the next several days to speak on behalf of the two Democratic candidates for president.

Astin will appear at Penn State Hazleton at 3 p.m. Friday, April 11, on the steps of the Charles T. Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center on the campus mall to support Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Democratic presidential primary. Astin will discuss his reasons for backing Clinton, followed by a question-and-answer session. The event is free to the public.

Kennedy will appear at 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, in the McGarvey Commons of the Reed Union Building at Penn State Erie for a town hall meeting in support of Sen. Barack Obama. The Young Democrats of America, a Penn State Erie student organization, is hosting the event, which is free to the public.

Best known for his roles in "Lord of the Rings," "Rudy" and "The Goonies," Astin has actively supported the Clinton campaign appearing with all members of the Clinton family. He graduated with honors from UCLA where he earned bachelor of arts in history and a bachelor of arts in English (American literature and culture). He resides in Los Angeles with his wife Christine and their daughters.

Kennedy has represented Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate for 43 years. He was elected in 1962 to finish the final two years of the Senate term of his brother, Sen. John F. Kennedy, who was elected president in 1960. Since then, Kennedy has been re-elected to seven full terms, and is now the second most senior member of the Senate.

During this political season, Astin joins the ranks of Clinton family and friends making Penn State stops. Chelsea Clinton visited University Park on Thursday, April 10, and Penn State Hershey on April 3. Former president Bill Clinton spoke at Penn State Altoona April 3, University Park on March 27 and at Penn State Brandywine on March 7.  Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke at Penn State Fayette on March 24.

Additionally, Sen. Barack Obama came to University Park on March 30. Fellow Illinois senator and Senate majority whip Richard Durbin visited University Park on April 4, while U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania will visit the HUB Auditorium at University Park at 1:30 p.m. Friday April 11. 

Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul will visit University Park with an appearance at 5:30 p.m. Friday (April 11)  in Gym 1 of the IM Building.

The visits are part of Penn State's effort to expose students to the 2008 presidential campaign, part of the University's open-door policy to host campaign stops during this primary season.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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