Operation HOPE Makes Disaster Assistance and Mortgage Crisis Assistance Available to Constituents of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee. Announces plans to launch Operation HOPE, Houston office.

Operation HOPE’s 1-888-388 HOPE Toll-Free Help Line a Resource to Those in Need

Today in Houston, Texas, under the leadership of U.S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), Operation HOPE founder, chairman and chief executive officer John Hope Bryant, who is also the vice chairman of the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy and Chairman of the Council Committee on the Under-Served, today spoke before residents of the 18th District and made resources available to those in need.

Houston_event_031The congresswoman, who is also chair of the Congressional Children’s Caucus hosted today a Financial Literacy Festival for youth, while speaking to adults and parents about the reality of the current economic crisis, and what they all can do to better prepare themselves and their families in the weeks and months ahead, as well as what she is doing in Washington, D.C. to represent their interest.

One of the efforts where Congresswoman Jackson-Lee plans to show leadership is around the call for mandatory financial literacy for all children post global economic crisis, a passion shared by Mr. Bryant in his policy advisory role as vice chairman of the President’s Council on Financial Literacy, and chairman of its Committee on the Under-Served. Additionally, Bryant and Congresswoman Jackson-Lee have vowed to work together to bring a Banking on Our Future, Houston office to the area, teaching financial literacy to youth and young adults in her district.

Houston_event_008"As you can imagine, these are confusing and uncertain times for the economy. As adults feel anxiety from this economic crisis, I am sure that our children view this time as very unstable," stated Congresswoman Sheila Jackson lee. "I am a firm believer that knowledge is power, and this festival is the first step in providing our children with the proper understanding of our economic times as well as empowering them with the financial literacy tools to achieve success." Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee concluded, "I am grateful to John Hope Bryant, ACORN, Marie Helena Cortes from KidsWriteToKnow.com, and Houston’s local banks and financial advisors for joining me at this event. I am glad that they have a vested interest in making sure our citizens have access to the knowledge and tools they need to combat the current financial crisis."

Today, in partnership with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee, Operation HOPE announced the cost-free availability of its Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline for individuals in and around Houston that were impacted by the subprime mortgage crisis, as well as emergency economic disaster response and assistance for those impacted by Hurricane Ike. Both services can be accessed toll-free at 1-888-388-HOPE or online at www.operationhope.org.

Today’s youth festival and adult town hall addressed the issues of:

  • H.R.1424 "Emergency Economic Stabilization Act"
  • The global economic crisis and its impact on families.
  • Mortgage and Foreclosure Crisis intervention
  • Youth financial literacy empowerment
  • Emergency economic response to Hurricane Ike

Houston_event_043"I commend the bold and visionary leadership of my friend Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee for organizing today’s event focused on the economy, silver rights and resources for everyday people on Main Street here in Houston, as well meeting last week with representatives from the U.S. Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C. as she helps to insure your interests are representative in negotiations with leaders on Wall Street." Bryant continued, "the congresswoman is a woman of vision and action, who rightly so sees all of these interests bound up together. We are all in this together. My mother and sister live in Houston, so this is also personal to me. I am here today, because the congressman asked to come and I try to always respond to her call for leadership."

Joining Bryant at the town hall hosted by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee included ACORN, Marie Helena Cortes from KidsWriteToKnow.com, and Houston’s local banks and financial advisors, inclusive of Comerica Bank, a partner of Operation HOPE.

The President’s Council on Financial Literacy is a bi-partisan Council, operating out of the U.S. Department of the Treasury and enacted on January 22, 2008, by Executive Order of President George W, Bush, which simultaneously made financial literacy the policy of the federal government. The Council will serve two sitting U.S. presidents until 2010. Council Chairman is financial guru Charles Schwab, Bryant serves as vice chairman and 14 members serve on the Council.

The Mortgage HOPE Crisis Hotline, as well as Operation HOPE’s response to Hurricane Ike, are run by HOPE’s HOPE Coalition America division, headed by Fred D. Smith.

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