University Park

President touches down at University Park Airport

University Park, Pa. -- President George W. Bush has arrived in Centre County. Air Force One touched down at 1:38 p.m. Tuesday at University Park airport. It taxied through the shimmering heat and haze to a stop in front of the General Aviation hangar. The president stepped through the door and was greeted by Penn State Head Football Coach Joe Paterno, as well as U.S. Rep. John Peterson, State Sen. Jake Corman, State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, State Rep. Lynn Herman, Joyce Haas, chair of the Pennsylvania GOP Central Caucus, and Glenn Thompson, chair of the Centre County GOP. He was accompanied by Senators Arlen Specter, and Rick Santorum.

A crowd of two dozen journalists, photographers and videographers captured the scene from a flatbed trailer about 400 feet from Air Force One.

The president was whisked away from the hangar by Secret Service agents and headed for Eisenhower Auditorium via limousine for his appointment to speak with the state FFA convention. He was escorted by several police units and an ambulance.

Earlier that day, Bush had attended a luncheon for Sen. Rick Santorum near Philadelphia. According to the White House, the president is scheduled to fly back to Washington, D.C., after his State College appearance.

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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