Congresswoman Beatty Inspires Future Investors With Capitol Hill Challenge™
Washington, D.C. —Today Congresswoman Joyce Beatty visited with World Language Middle School students participating in the SIFMA Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge program, underwritten by the Charles Schwab Foundation. This national 14-week financial education competition pairs individual members of Congress with high-needs public schools in every congressional district, equipping middle and high school students to become financially capable and civic-minded.
Congresswoman Beatty spoke with World Language Middle School’s student teams who are spending the semester managing a hypothetical $100,000 investment portfolio of listed stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and impact investments. The competition uses the SIFMA Foundation’s curriculum-based Stock Market Game™, a financial education program that is proven to advance students’ performance on math and economics tests and improve students’ and teachers’ financial behavior.
“I am deeply committed to ensuring that every American has the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of our financial system,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “That is why I am so grateful for the SIFMA Foundation’s consistent, dedicated efforts in pursuit of this mission, as programs like the Capitol Hill Challenge teach children critical investment skills and enable them to build long-term wealth. Together, we can put every American on the path to financial freedom.”
“The Capitol Hill Challenge epitomizes the power of education, mentorship, and community engagement,” said Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., SIFMA President & CEO. “Our industry is committed to helping students learn the importance of saving and investing early in life, while also providing them a solid foundation to achieve their future financial goals. With the generous support of Charles Schwab Foundation, we are not just teaching financial capability—we are building stronger communities and empowering the next generation to reach their full potential.”
“Charles Schwab Foundation’s commitment to the Capitol Hill Challenge and SIFMA Foundation extends our mission to empower people through financial education so everyone has the opportunity to achieve financial well-being,” said Lisa Hunt, director, Charles Schwab Foundation board of directors; managing director, head of International Services for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.; and vice chair, SIFMA Foundation board of directors. “The benefits of youth financial education extend far beyond the classroom. By equipping students with fundamental financial skills, we are nurturing a generation capable of making informed decisions, managing resources effectively, and planning for a secure future.”
Congresswoman Beatty’s visit coincides with National Financial Literacy Month. During April, Americans are encouraged to take control of their finances, save, and invest for their futures. Congresswoman Beatty and Congresswoman Young Kim, Co-Chairs of the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to officially recognize April as ‘Financial Literacy Month.’ Last April, the two Congresswomen launched the bipartisan Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus which aims to promote financial education and wealth creation for all Americans by recommending financial literacy policies, legislation, and programs, and collaborating with private sector, nonprofit, community-based organizations, and faith-based groups.
“We applaud Congresswoman Beatty’s longstanding commitment to youth financial education, her leadership as Co-Chair of the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, and her participation in SIFMA Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge program,” said Melanie Mortimer, president of the SIFMA Foundation. “Together, we can help close opportunity gaps and create access to educational programs and tools that foster positive financial life outcomes for all Americans.” Since the Capitol Hill Challenge began in 2004, the program has coordinated more than 7,500 matches of U.S. representatives and senators with schools, reaching nearly 170,000 students. For more details and to view updates about this year’s program, visit the Capitol Hill Challenge website at www.stockmarketgame.org/capitol-hill-challenge.html.
About the SIFMA Foundation
The SIFMA Foundation is committed to closing the opportunity gap by fostering greater knowledge of the financial markets for young people of all backgrounds. Drawing on the support and expertise of educators and the financial industry, the Foundation provides financial education to strengthen economic opportunity across communities and increase awareness of the benefits of the global marketplace. Since 1977, the Foundation’s flagship program, The Stock Market Game™, has guided 23 million students on their path to financial independence to attain stronger life skills, improve academic achievement, and boost social-emotional learning. For more information on the SIFMA Foundation, visit www.sifma.org/foundation.
About SIFMA
SIFMA is the leading trade association for broker-dealers, investment banks, and asset managers operating in the U.S. and global capital markets. On behalf of our industry’s nearly one million employees, we advocate on legislation, regulation, and business policy, affecting retail and institutional investors, equity and fixed-income markets, and related products and services. We serve as an industry coordinating body to promote fair and orderly markets, informed regulatory compliance, and efficient market operations and resiliency. We also provide a forum for industry policy and professional development. SIFMA, with offices in New York and Washington, D.C., is a U.S. regional member of the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA). For more information, visit http://www.sifma.org.
About Charles Schwab Foundation
Charles Schwab Foundation is an independent nonprofit public benefit corporation, funded by The Charles Schwab Corporation and classified by the IRS as a charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation is neither a part of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC) nor its parent company, The Charles Schwab Corporation. Its mission is to educate, volunteer and advocate on behalf of those in need so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve financial well-being. More information is available at http://www.schwabmoneywise.com/foundation.
About Charles Schwab
At Charles Schwab, we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
For additional photos from the visit click HERE.
For inquiries, please contact Cassandra Johnson at Cassandra.Johnson@mail.house.gov.
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