Performance Trust to Host 2nd Annual Public Debates on the U.S. Economy

CHICAGO, Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly three years after passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, students from 12 Chicago high schools will debate its effectiveness and whether the federal government should invest additional stimulus to bolster the economy.  In a tournament co-sponsored by Performance Trust Companies and Attucks Asset Management, LLC, participants will also argue whether the United States is now on an irreversible course of long-term economic decline.  

"Today's volatile economy has led us into uncharted territory," said Performance Trust CEO Richard Berg. "Giving high school students the chance to debate the same issues that are confronting government and business leaders worldwide is real-time education. I look forward to hearing their perspectives."

This marks the second straight year Performance Trust has partnered with the Chicago Debate Commission and Chicago Public Schools to host this event. Last year, debaters from Northside College Preparatory High School edged out a team from Lane Technical High School to win the tournament championship.

This year, Attucks Asset Management joined Performance Trust as event co-sponsor.

"This tournament showcases some terrific talent—young people stretching beyond the classroom to develop and contest ideas that affect us all," said Attucks CEO Les Bond.

The 12 participating schools, from a broad cross-section of Chicago neighborhoods, are among the top debate programs in Chicago. All are members of the 15-year-old and 76-school Chicago Debate League, the nation's leading Urban Debate League. The participating schools include Amundsen High School, Brooks College Prep, Jones College Prep, King College Prep, Lane Tech College Prep, Morgan Park High School, Northside College Prep, Phoenix Military Academy, Von Steuben Metro Science Center, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Daniel Hale Williams Prep School of Medicine and University of Chicago Woodlawn Charter High School.  

Event Information
Preliminary Rounds: Friday, December 9, 2011, 12:00pm-7:00pm
Final Rounds and Awards Ceremony: Saturday, December 10, 2011, 8:00am-12:00pm
500 West Madison, 3rd Floor: Chicago, IL, 60661

About The Performance Trust Companies

The Performance Trust Companies are an SEC-registered investment advisor and a FINRA regulated broker/dealer, with proprietary investment methodologies and products designed in an effort to accomplish investment objectives.  Based in Chicago, Performance Trust focuses on educating fixed income investment professionals and assisting client institutions to invest through total return.  For more information, go to http://www.performancetrust.com/?utm_source=BusinessWire&utm_medium=PR.  

About Attucks Asset Management, LLC

Attucks Asset Management, LLC is a MBE certified and registered investment advisor founded in Chicago in 2001. With $2 billion in assets under management, Attucks serves some of the largest pension plans in the United States, including the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund. The firm's senior professionals leverage their investment experience in consulting, risk management, portfolio structuring and client service to produce sound investment programs that meet both fiduciary and social goals. As a Manager of Asset Managers, Attucks offers institutional investors the opportunity to invest with pre-qualified emerging and minority and woman-owned managers. More than 90% of Attucks' assets under management have been placed for investment with minority and woman-owned portfolio managers.

SOURCE Performance Trust Capital Partners