Biography

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. After massive flooding devastated the 11th District in September 2011, Representative Barletta used his position on this committee to fight to reduce the interest rate charged on certain Small Business Administration disaster recovery loans.

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 spot 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. He was re-elected in November 2012.

Lou and Mary Grace are the parents of four daughters: Kelly, April, Lindsey, and Grace. They also have one grandson, Gabriel Louis; and one granddaughter, Madeleine Grace.