Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke referenced Junior Achievement’s efforts around financial literacy education as he delivered his semi-annual report on monetary policy before the Senate Banking Committee last Wednesday. Junior Achievement was the only organization mentioned. What made Chairman Bernanke’s comment so special was that it was made as part of an impromptu response which indicates that it is top of mind. Ed Grenier, the President of Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area (Washington, DC) recently provided Chairman Bernanke a personal tour of the JA Finance Park facility under construction in Fairfax County, VA. He was so impressed with the concept and Ed was such a great salesperson that Chairman Bernanke has agreed to be the keynote speaker at the ribbon cutting ceremony of the JA Finance Park facility in October.
Click on the link below to see Bernanke’s entire presentation (the JA mention is around 1:23:00.) http://www.cspan.org/Watch/Media/2010/07/21/HP/A/35759/Senate+Banking+Cmte+Hearing+with+Fed+Chair+Bernanke.aspx