FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          NEWS RELEASE

(Pittsburgh, PA – May 25, 2005) Jim Kratt of Bellevue became a Boy Scout at age 14. That was on May 25, 1925. Today, at age 94, Kratt is still living the Scout Oath and Law, and still active in Scouting.

Greenstone United Methodist Church, 939 California Avenue, Avalon, will honor James H. Kratt on Sunday, May 29, 2005, for 80 years of dedicated service to the Boy Scouts. The church is the charter organization for Troop 257; Kratt is a member of both organizations. The recognition will take place during services at 11 am.

After attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in 1928, Kratt became an Assistant Scoutmaster a year later, then was named Scoutmaster, serving for 20 years. He accepted the position of Explorer Post Advisor in 1954, a post he held for 41 years. Always ready to attend weekend outings and campouts with his Scouting Unit, Kratt has received many awards, including the Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit, the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award, and recently, the John A. Douglas Lifetime Achievement Award.

A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Kratt was employed as a mechanical engineer, helping to build minesweepers and sub chasers for Dravo Corporation. He retired from United Engineering and Foundry in 1974.

Kratt has spent nearly 70 years teaching swimming, sailing and canoeing, and estimates he has taught more than 3,500 children how to swim. For many years he served as Post Commander for the American Legion, received his 50-year pin from Avalon Lodge No. 657 in 1998, and is active in the Greenstone United Methodist Church Men’s Breakfast group and bowling and dart leagues.

Boy Scouts of America, Greater Pittsburgh Council serves more than 48,000 youth each year across southwestern Pennsylvania, including Allegheny, Beaver, Greene, Washington and parts of Westmoreland and Fayette counties. The Council’s mission is to help instill values in young people by building the cornerstone of their character in ethics, morality and commitment, while preparing them for life’s challenges.