U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R – Atwater) and Assemblyman Bill Berryhill (R – Ceres) spoke at the eighth annual Turlock Friends of Scouting luncheon Tuesday, hosted by the Turlock Noon Rotary at the Turf Club.

Denham, who was a Boy Scout in his youth, said he was surprised to learn that 209 current members of Congress were scouts. He said the common bond of scouting helps legislators work across party lines.

But more than that, Denham credited scouting with building a strong link with his family. Though his father worked several jobs, through scouting the two were able to spend quality time together.

“I’ll always remember building our (Pinewood) Derby car, and doing something we never would have done together,” Denham said.

Berryhill spoke about his son, Will Berryhill, who is an Eagle Scout. Will Berryhill is now a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he has been accepted into the Air Force ROTC officer training program.

“Scouting has a heck of a lot to do with the character that Willie has,” Berryhill said. “It builds great leadership and it builds great character.”

Denham and Berryhill also briefly answered questions from those in attendance, touching on the topics of budgets, highway spending bills, and high-speed rail.