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MEDIA ADVISORY

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Arizona State Treasurer Dean Martin

                   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       Contact:  Kimberly Yee

April 15, 2008                                                                               (602) 604-7882

 

TREASURER DEAN MARTIN’S ADDRESS TO CONGRESS ON THE STATE OF FINANCIAL EDUCATION

(UNITED STATES CAPITOL, WASHINGTON, D.C.) – State Treasurer Dean Martin testified today before the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services on the importance of financial literacy and education.  Treasurer Martin was invited to address the full 70-member congressional committee for his work in designing successful financial literacy partnerships between the public and private sectors. 

“The lack of financial literacy is a problem that spans every age group and every demographic,” said State Treasurer Dean Martin. “Our nation is only as prosperous as our citizens.”

State Treasurer Dean Martin is nationally recognized for his work to implement successful public-private partnerships to advance financial literacy and education from kindergarteners to seniors.  As a State Senator, Dean Martin previously established legislation to recognize April as “Financial Education” month in Arizona.  He has taught financial education courses and was a founding board member of the Arizona chapter of Jump$tart, a national financial literacy organization. 

“Rather than regulating to the lowest common denominator of financial literacy, Congress should work to elevate the financial understanding of the public,” said State Treasurer Dean Martin.  

In January 2008, Treasurer Martin worked with Visa Inc. to develop a technology-based money management education program called “Financial Football” which was distributed to every high school to kick-off Super Bowl XLII, without a cost to Arizona taxpayers.  The game can be played for free online by visiting AzTreasury.gov and clicking on “Financial Football.”

State Treasurer Dean Martin is the Chief Financial Officer for Arizona, third in succession to the Governor, overseeing $12.7 billion in assets under management.  Treasurer Martin has opened government finances to the public on his website AzTreasury.gov.  Last fiscal year, Treasurer Martin made taxpayers over $730 million and increased investment earnings by 24% over the previous administration.

Attachment:  http://www.aztreasury.gov/press/testimony04-15-2008.pdf
Treasurer Dean Martin’s Testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services, U.S. Congress                         

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