Group lauds Linville’s support for financial literacy among youth

Sept. 1, 2009

OLYMPIA – Junior Achievement of Washington has honored Rep. Kelli Linville (D-Bellingham) for her role in supporting financial literacy programs for youth across the state. The group gave Linville its “Junior Achievement Leadership and Vision Award” for her work in advocating for children and her commitment to educational programs for them and their families. As chair of the House Ways & Means Committee, Linville worked to secure $50 million in the 2009-11 state operating budget to go to the Office of the Superintendant of Public Instruction for financial literacy programs in Washington schools.
 
“Now more than ever we need to equip our children with the kind of practical, real-world financial skills that will give them a leg up as they plan their careers, enter the workforce or maybe even start a business,” said Linville. “The world economic crisis has underscored the need for everybody to have at least a basic fluency in financial matters.”
 
Junior Achievement of Washington — an organization that works with more than 100,000 youth to build financial literacy, work-readiness and entrepreneurship skills — recognized Linville at an August reception in Seattle for business and legislative leaders.
 
At the event, Junior Achievement President David Moore also announced the expansion of JA World into Yakima as well as other modular units across the state. JA World is a hands-on experience that puts financial skills into action for elementary and middle-school students. They can experience the roles of wage earners and consumers, investigate personal financial options, and practice making sound financial decisions for themselves and their families. JA World began in 2004 with a facility in Auburn.
 
Also recognized at the reception were House Speaker Frank Chopp and Reps. Sharon Tomiko Santos and Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney.
 
Linville represents the 42nd Legislative District in the Washington State House of Representatives.
 
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