Lou Barletta (R-PA-11)

Lou Barletta Congressman Pennsylvania District 11

House links: Lou Barletta (R-PA-11)i

Louis J. “Lou” Barletta

Lou Barletta Congressional Candidate Pennsylvania District 11

Lou Barletta Biography from House.gov

Representative Lou Barletta proudly represents his hometown of Hazleton and the people of Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District.

Representative Barletta was sworn in on January 5, 2011. He immediately started serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which will play a critical role in the economic development of and job growth in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the Education and Workforce Committee, which will focus on how our nation can improve its educational system so we have competitive, qualified workers in the future.

Representative Barletta also joined the Small Business Committee, which helps businesses in Northeastern Pennsylvania through small business financial aid, regulatory flexibility, and paperwork reduction.

In April 2011, Representative Barletta formed the 112th Class Immigration Reform Caucus, which will bring together members of the historic 2011-2012 “freshmen” class. Representative Barletta will chair this caucus as it examines solutions to the country’s illegal immigration problems.

All of Congressman’s committee assignments reflect on his life experiences.

Born and raised in Hazleton, Representative Barletta majored in elementary education as a student at Bloomsburg State College (now Bloomsburg University). He left school to try out for a Major League Baseball team, but was released when the team’s management discovered he couldn’t hit a curve ball.

After he returned to Northeastern Pennsylvania, he and his wife Mary Grace started a business together. For $29.95, the Barlettas formed a line-painting business. Through hard work and perseverance, they grew that business into the largest of its kind in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within five years. They eventually grew it to be the sixth-largest business of its kind in the entire nation.

As a small business owner, Representative Barletta saw how government regulation and taxes could affect the bottom line. Even though he had very little interest in politics, he decided to run for a slot on Hazleton City Council. He was first elected to council in 1998, then was elected mayor of his hometown in 2000.

Despite inheriting a massive budget shortfall, he was able to turn around the City of Hazleton with tough, fiscally responsible decisions. This turnaround earned statewide praise and recognition.

In addition, his leadership on the issue of illegal immigration in Hazleton garnered national attention. Representative Barletta was the first mayor in the country to introduce and sign into law local ordinances cracking down against businesses that knowingly hire illegal aliens.

By ever-increasing margins of victory, Representative Barletta was elected mayor three times.

In September 2004, Representative Barletta was appointed by the White House to serve on the United Nation Advisory Committee of Local Authorities as the representative of the United States of America.

In November 2010, Representative Barletta was elected to Congress on his third try.

The Congressman and Mary Grace are the parents of four daughters: Kelly, April, Lindsey, and Grace. His wife and two of his daughters are teachers, and a third daughter is studying to become a teacher. Representative Barletta and Mary Grace also have one grandson, Gabriel Louis.

Biography of Lou Barletta from Lou Barletta for Congress

Representative Lou Barletta represents the people of Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District. A position he has held since being sworn in on January 5th, 2011.

Congressman Barletta currently serves on the Education and Workforce Committee, which will focus on how our nation can improve its educational system so we have competitive, qualified workers in the future.

He also serves as a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which will play a critical role in economic development and job growth in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.

Born and raised in Hazleton, he left his family businesses to create his own company with his wife, Mary Grace, building one of the largest companies of its type in the country.

Barletta’s political carrier began with his election to Hazleton City Council in 1998. He went on to win the race for Mayor in 2000 and was re-elected with over 90% of the vote. As Mayor, Lou Barletta inherited a massive budget shortfall. Through tough, fiscally responsible decisions, Barletta was able to turn his city around.

In addition to the financial crisis, he was faced with a very serious illegal immigration problem in Hazleton. His leadership on this issue earned him national attention for his first-of-its-kind Illegal Immigration Relief Act which has served as a blueprint for many other communities across America facing similar problems.

Because of his leadership, Hazleton is now enjoying one of the most impressive periods of revitalization in the city’s history.

Lou Barletta served as Mayor of the City of Hazleton until his election to Congress with 55% of the vote.

Lou and Mary Grace are the parents of four daughters, Kelly, April, Lindsey, and Grace, and have one grandson, Gabriel Louis.