JHB in IowaRecently I had the honor of joining my fellow members of the bi-partisan U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy for a special Listening Session in the Heartland," hosted by my friend and Council Member Dr. Tahira Hira.

One of the best organized and attended of our listening sessions around the country, the Council was able to gather important insights from a broad cross-section of attendees.  Many of these recommendations mirror official recommendations already included in the Council draft annual report.

For a sense of the event itself, the following are a few links to media from the event:

http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab1.cfm?dept_id=554432&PAG=461&newsid=20195747

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20081114/BUSINESS/811140385

http://www.cuna.org/newsnow/08/system111308-2.html?ref=hed

A special commendation to Council Member Ted Beck, who chairs the Council Committee on Outreach, who innovated the concept of the Listening Session, my fellow Council Members in attendance including Sharon Lechter, who also serves with me on the Under-Served Committee, Janet Parker, Council advisor and my friend Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, and of course Dr. Tahira Hira. My friend Michael Townsend, representing Council chairman Charles Schwab, also attended in person, as did U.S. Treasury Deputy Assistant Secretary and director of the Treasury Office of Financial Education, Dan Iannicola.

The term of Council members run until January, 2010, which gives this bi-partisan Council the opportunity to serve both the Bush and Obama Administrations.  It is my sincere hope that we can get something meaningful "done" for the American people during our remaining term.

Onward with HOPE,

John Hope Bryant

Founder, chairman and chief executive officer, Operation HOPE

Vice chairman, U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, and chairman, Council Committee on the Under-Served

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