R 167

2021 -- H 6198 Enacted 04/06/2021

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2021, TO BE "FINANCIAL LITERACY MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Batista, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Ruggiero, Ackerman,

Date Introduced: April 06, 2021

WHEREAS, Every Rhode Islander deserves the opportunity to achieve financial security

and stability regardless of zip code or background; and

WHEREAS, The economic and health impacts of COVID-19 have highlighted the

compounded financial disparities in our nation and state; and

WHEREAS, Too many Rhode Islanders are struggling with financial challenges at a rate

higher than national peers; and

WHEREAS, Too many Rhode Islanders have unequal access to financial education and

this has contributed to racial wealth and income gaps that persist in our society; and

WHEREAS, Individuals with strong personal finance skills have the knowledge to make

informed decisions regarding budgeting, maintaining strong credit, saving, investing, and

protecting and insuring their assets; and

WHEREAS, Governments, private businesses, community-based organizations, and

institutions of education must work together to empower consumers to make informed decisions

about their finances, appropriately plan for economic instability, and avoid deceptive or predatory

practices; and

WHEREAS, General Treasurer Magaziner launched the Rhode Island Financial

Empowerment Roundtable which regularly brings together representatives from government,

nonprofits, education, businesses, and banking to network and share ideas on how to encourage

economic growth and financial stability among Rhode Islanders; and

WHEREAS, There is a strong coalition of organizations, passionate educators, and

invested individuals working tirelessly to expand financial literacy and personal finance

education in Rhode Island schools; and

WHEREAS, Rhode Island should endeavor to expand the availability of personal finance

education, because teaching financial skills to students gives them more economic opportunity;

and

WHEREAS, Strengthening the financial skills of all Rhode Islanders is an investment in

the fundamental promise of a brighter future and building a more prosperous nation. April is

National Financial Literacy Month, during which Rhode Island highlights its commitment to

teaching ourselves and our children about the basics of financial education; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April of 2021, to be "Financial Literacy Month" in the State of Rhode Island. We

moreover urge all Rhode Islanders to take advantage of various programs and activities that will

increase their personal financial literacy both during the Month of April and throughout the year;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the RI JumpStart Coalition.

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LC002558

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