[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H8546-H8547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL RAIDER STUDENT CREDIT UNION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I want to congratulate a group of 
enterprising students and teachers at Ronald Reagan High School in 
Pfafftown, North Carolina. This month, Reagan High School launched 
North Carolina's first ever high school student-run credit union.
  This is truly an historic and groundbreaking achievement. I want to 
congratulate all the faculty and students at Reagan who have been 
involved in getting the Raider Student Credit Union off the ground. 
Working hand in hand with Allegacy Federal Credit Union, they have 
created a student-run enterprise that should make these students proud.
  When I recently visited the school to participate in the grand 
opening of the Raider Student Credit Union, I was so impressed by the 
students' ambition and work ethic. Many of them are pictured here with 
their faculty advisers. These students are a driving force in the 
creation of this unique and educational institution.
  The new credit union is a part of the Reagan High School's financial 
literacy program and is a partnership with a local credit union, 
Allegacy Federal Credit Union. Reagan High School students are 
operating the branch three days a week during the school's lunch 
period, offering withdrawal and deposit services to its members.
  At a time when so many Americans are struggling with family finances 
and with financial literacy at a low ebb, it is very encouraging to 
witness this

[[Page H8547]]

school's commitment to educating students about good money management.
  It is exciting to observe the commitment to financial literacy and 
life skills among the student body at Reagan High School. I am 
confident that the students who participate in the day-to-day operation 
of the Raider Student Credit Union will emerge from their high school 
years better equipped to take on the financial challenges they will 
face as adults.
  Equally as important, students will come away with valuable work 
skills that will serve them as they enter the workplace in the coming 
years and that will help catapult those who are involved into 
successful careers.
  A recent survey on financial literacy found that young people are 
increasingly undereducated on matters of financial literacy. Financial 
literacy and financial education are much-needed tonics in an age of 
maxed-out credit cards and financial stress.
  Many people find themselves in financial difficulties because they 
were not educated about their options and various financial 
opportunities. I am confident that this new credit union will equip the 
students at Ronald Reagan High School with the financial skills to make 
wise decisions for their financial futures.
  I hope that the initiative and innovation that Reagan High School has 
demonstrated with the Raider Student Credit Union will inspire more 
schools to follow in their footsteps, not only to start credit unions 
of their own but to find unique ways to prepare students to take their 
place in our productive society.
  With this groundbreaking program, Ronald Reagan High School has 
helped to set the pace for financial education in North Carolina's high 
schools. It is important to note that not only is the Raider Student 
Credit Union the first high school credit union in North Carolina, it 
is also an investment in the lives and success of this school's 
students.

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