Designating April 2019 as Financial Literacy Month.

Designating April 2019 as Financial Literacy Month Whereas, according to the report entitled Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households Whereas, according to the report entitled 2017 National Survey of Unbanked and Underbanked Households Whereas, according to the 2018 Consumer Financial Literacy Survey final report of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (1) a majority (61 percent) of adults in the United States had credit card debt during the 1-year period ending on the date of publication of the report; (2) nearly 2/5 (3) approximately 41 percent of adults in the United States maintain a budget; Whereas, according to the statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System for the fourth quarter of 2018 entitled Household Debt and Credit (1) outstanding household debt in the United States was $869,000,000,000 higher than the previous peak of $12,680,000,000,000 in the third quarter of 2008; and (2) outstanding student loan balances have more than doubled in the last decade to approximately $1,500,000,000,000; Whereas, according to the 2018 report entitled Survey of the States: Economic and Personal Finance Education in Our Nations Schools (1) only 22 States require students to take an economics course as a high school graduation requirement; and (2) only 17 States require students to take a personal finance course as a high school graduation requirement, either independently or as part of an economics course; Whereas, according to the Gallup-HOPE Index, only 57 percent of students in the United States have money in a bank or credit union account; Whereas expanding access to the safe, mainstream financial system will provide individuals with less expensive and more secure options for managing finances and building wealth; Whereas quality personal financial education is essential to ensure that individuals are prepared (1) to manage money, credit, and debt; and (2) to become responsible workers, heads of household, investors, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and citizens; Whereas increased financial literacy (1) empowers individuals to make wise financial decisions; and (2) reduces the confusion caused by an increasingly complex economy; Whereas a greater understanding of, and familiarity with, financial markets and institutions will lead to increased economic activity and growth; and Whereas, in 2003, Congress (1) determined that coordinating Federal financial literacy efforts and formulating a national strategy is important; and (2) in light of that determination, passed the Financial Literacy and Education Improvement Act ( 20 U.S.C. 9701 That the Senate (1) designates April 2019 as Financial Literacy Month (A) the importance of personal financial education in the United States; and (B) the serious consequences that may result from a lack of understanding about personal finances; and (2) calls on the Federal Government, States, localities, schools, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and the people of the United States to observe Financial Literacy Month with appropriate programs and activities.

Summary: This resolution designates April 2019 as Financial Literacy Month.