TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:WHEREAS, Financial literacy is essential to ensure that Kansans are well prepared to manage money, credit, investments, and debt; and
WHEREAS, Many citizens struggle to manage their money due to lack of financial literacy; and
WHEREAS, The average non-mortgage consumer debt in Kansas has risen from $11,000 to $15,000 in the last decade; 12.4% of Kansans have experienced difficulty keeping up with their mortgage payments; student loan debt now exceeds credit card debt in America; 51% of Americans are not financially prepared to retire at age 65; and
WHEREAS, Kansans need to be equipped to make personal financial decisions such as maintain a budget, understanding loans, credit, investment and savings plans, banking, and retirement plans in order to make informed choices concerning the different financial institutions available; and
WHEREAS, Financial education empowers Kansans to make wise financial decisions, reduces the confusion of an increasingly complex economy, and enables citizens to plan for and establish multi-generational wealth; and
WHEREAS, Personal financial literacy among today’s youth will contribute to the financial stability of tomorrow’s workforce and to the growth, success, and prosperity of the Kansas economy; and
WHEREAS, During the month of April, the financial industry, consumer groups, non-profits, state and federal agencies, and the media will join together to conduct educational events in schools, places of worship, and communities to illustrate the importance of personal financial ownership; and
WHEREAS, The advocates for and suppliers of such educational efforts include the offices of Kansas Treasurer Ron Estes and the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner, Capital City Bank, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Kansas State Department of Education, Kansas State Research and Extension, Mazuma Credit Union Quest Credit Union, Stan T Webb Companies, Wichita State University and the numerous other partners in the Kansas Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy as well as the partners in the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s April Money Smart Month in Kansas:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sam Brownback, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim April of 2013, as
Financial Literacy Month
in Kansas and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.