Jim Thorpe represents both a town in Pennsylvania, and one of the greatest athletes in American history.

       57 years ago, the two towns of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk offered to build a memorial for Jim Thorpe in a deal with his impoverished widow, this exchange included the use of his name and an undisclosed amount of money. In his lifetime, Mr. Thorpe never set foot here.

       Today, the borough of Jim Thorpe is fighting the legal claim by Thorpe's son for his father's remains. Jack Thorpe, 73, wants his father's remains to be returned to his family and tribe so that he can be buried in a family plot in Jim Thorpe's home of Pottawatami County Oklahoma.

       In accordance with Federal Law under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) of 1990, the remains Native Americans in possession by a government or private entity is obligated to inventory the remains and repatriate them according to the statute. The borough has failed on both accounts and vehemently wish to continue their possession of Thorpe's remains as borough property.

       Hundreds of American cities, along with numerous counties and states, do well without the need to cling onto the bones of their namesake, and the magnificent town of Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania can do the same. A person's remains should not be treated as government property. The law should be honored, and so should the basic right of the family over the right of a municipal government.

Sources:
- http://www.nps.gov/nagpra/mandates/INDEX.HTM
- http://www.courthousenews.com/2010/06/28/Thorpe.pdf
- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/sports/14thorpe.html
- http://www.aolnews.com/weird-news/article/hold-for-buck-edited-last-days-of-the-worlds-greatest-athle/19579358
- http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/sports/25thorpe.html
http://www.newbritainherald.com/articles/2010/08/20/life/doc4c6f24b18bd2a137709086.txt
- http://www.cmgww.com/sports/thorpe/bio.htm