"Americans Owe More Than They Make."

Statement

We have a greater need than ever to increase financial literacy in our country, according to U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., who was joined by Curtis Biggs of Sheridan, the vice president of the Wyoming chapter of the Jump$tart Coalition, at a Senate subcommittee hearing in Washington Wednesday. Biggs and Enzi said financial literacy education can make a positive difference for both individuals and the country's economy.

"We have a greater need than ever for financial literacy across the country at a time when our country has so little money. What we need to do now is to let the states continue their great work on improving financial literacy," said Enzi. "We also need to take a look at financial literacy programs across federal agencies to see what we're doing well, what we're not, and where we can cut down on duplication."

"Dedication to educating our youth in financial literacy is essential to a strong consumer and robust U.S. economy. Americans now owe more than they make and financial literacy statistics gravely reflect the need to integrate finance into the lives of our students at an early age," Biggs said.

The Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a non-profit organization that consists of a network of 49 affiliated state coalitions and their local partners, of which Wyoming is a member. Each state coalition is independently governed and operated, but connected by the same mission to advance financial literacy among students in pre-kindergarten through college.

Enzi reminded those at the hearing that April is financial literacy month and stressed its continued importance.

"I have four grandkids in Wyoming. I want their futures and the futures of children across the country to be successful. A part of ensuring their futures is teaching them principles early on that will plant the seed of sound decision-making that they can put into practice when they're old enough to start making their own financial decisions," he said.

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