Mike Kelly, MSA get scouting's top award at dinner
CRANBERRY — Butler County’s public and private sector leaders gathered Thursday for the Moraine Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizens Award dinner.
The event honored Congressman Mike Kelly, R-3rd District, as this year’s Distinguished Citizen and Mine Safety Appliances as the Company of the Year.
“It’s humbling, it’s very humbling,” Kelly said. “It’s nice that it happened at a time when my grandchildren are here and they’re getting excited about Scouting.”
State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st District congratulated Kelly on behalf of the state legislature.
“He continues to make us very proud as he represents us in Washington D.C.,” Hutchinson said. “For so long, Mike, you have been a champion in Butler County and surrounding counties of all the great purposes, all the young people, the charitable organizations.”
Kelly then congratulated Mine Safety Appliances for their achievements, extolling them for their contributions to the area and for operating responsibly.
“Tonight I have the opportunity to give congressional recognition to MSA for the wonderful work they do in our community,” he said. Sometimes we take for granted that these things are going to happen and that there’s always going to be there. But the fact of the matter is that’s not how it works. It takes an awful lot of people really being dedicated to our young people.”
Mine Safety Appliances representative Ron Herring, retired senior vice president and president of MSA international, expressed his gratitude for the award in a later interview.
“It’s a really nice recognition. MSA is a company that’s always looked to be a good corporate citizen,” he said. “We’re involved in a lot of areas of the Pittsburgh community and this is one of them.”
Kelly extolled the importance of the Scouts today and said he valued the contributions he has been able to make to the organization.
While Kelly had limited access to Scouting as a young man, as an adult he had the opportunity to serve as the Council’s Popcorn Chair and serving as an honorary board member.
He said Scouts are as important as ever.
“Especially today, you talk to people about morals and values and leadership ... The American people are always looking for leaders, strong leaders with strong moral values, people that have a great value system, and I think this is where it all begins.”
He emphasized the importance of building character in young people at an early age.
“You have to start early,” Kelly said. “It’s important; at some point you’re going to be passed the baton,” he said.
