Governor Corbett Proclaims April as 'Financial Education Month'

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In recognition that financial education is essential to ensure that Pennsylvanians of all ages are prepared to manage money, credit, investments and debt, Governor Tom Corbett today proclaimed April to be "Financial Education Month" in Pennsylvania.

"As we slowly emerge from the recession, it is clear that the causes of the economic problems we face are many and complex, rooted in many sources," Governor Corbett said. "We cannot overstate the importance of consumers increasing their financial literacy to improve the quality of their lives, provide them with skills for success, as well as strengthen Pennsylvania's economy."

In his proclamation, Governor Corbett praised several Pennsylvania initiatives aimed at promoting financial education and literacy:

• Many Pennsylvania banks will participate in "Teach Children to Save Day" on April 24;
• Many Pennsylvania credit unions will participate in "National Credit Union Youth Week," celebrated April 22-28;
• The Pennsylvania Department of Banking's "Your Money's Best Friend" website provides consumers with a trusted source of information about personal money management issues (www.moneysbestfriend.com);
• The Pennsylvania Securities Commission promotes wise and safe investing through its investor education and entrepreneur education programs;
• The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency offers programs to assist community-based organizations provide financial education to individuals and families; and
• The Pennsylvania Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is working to improve financial education in kindergarten through 12th grade.

Editor's Note: The text of Governor Corbett's proclamation follows:

FINANCIAL EDUCATION MONTH - April 2012

WHEREAS, financial education is essential to ensure that Pennsylvanians of all ages are prepared to manage money, credit, investments and debt; and

WHEREAS, increasing the financial literacy of Pennsylvanians can improve the quality of their lives, provide them with skills for success, as well as strengthen the commonwealth's economy; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Banking, through its moneysbestfriend.com website, provides consumers with a trusted source of information about personal money management issues and connections to local financial education resources, and through its Consumer Services outreach, assists thousands of Pennsylvanians each year make informed decisions on financial matters; and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Securities Commission promotes wise and safe investing through its investor education and entrepreneur education programs; and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency supports financial education for home owners, home buyers and home renters, and offers programs to assist community-based organizations provide financial education to individuals and families across the commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, many Pennsylvania banks will participate in "Teach Children to Save Day" on April 24 and credit unions will participate in "National Credit Union Youth Week," which will be celebrated from April 22-28, during which financial professionals will visit schools and teach young people basic principles of saving and spending; and

WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, is working to improve financial education in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

THEREFORE, in special recognition of the importance of affordable, accessible, high-quality financial education, I, Tom Corbett, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby proclaim April 2012 FINANCIAL EDUCATION MONTH in Pennsylvania and encourage all citizens, parents, teachers, community leaders, and others to seek ways to improve their own personal finance habits.

TOM CORBETT, Governor                                                                   

Media contacts:
Ed Novak, Department of Banking; 717-783-4721
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor