Hazleton, PA – Hazleton Mayor and 11th Congressional District candidate Lou Barletta congratulated the Boy Scouts of America on the organization’s 100th anniversary.

“The Boy Scouts of America have a long, proud tradition of teaching valuable life skills to boys and young men. Boy Scouting is more than just learning about building campfires or tying knots. Boy Scouting is about building character, instilling leadership skills, and teaching personal responsibility. I think we can all agree that those traits are vitally important and especially relevant in today’s world,” Mayor Barletta said.

“Scouting alumni including astronaut Neil Armstrong, presidents John F. Kennedy and Gerald Ford, director Steven Spielberg, Hank Aaron, and Philadelphia Phillies star Shane Victorino have inspired millions of boys and young men to join the Boy Scouts. Over the years, these countless millions have used the lessons they learned in Boy Scouting to improve their communities and the entire nation,” Mayor Barletta continued. “And millions of fathers and father figures have given their time to teach Boy Scouts through their words and actions.

“Boy Scouting plays a vital role in the education of today’s youth, and I congratulate all current Boy Scouts and scouting alumni on this anniversary.”