[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8646 of March 31, 2011

National Financial Literacy Month, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Americans' ability to build a secure future for themselves and their
families requires the navigation of an increasingly complex financial
system. As we recover from the worst economic crisis in generations, it
is more important than ever to be knowledgeable about the consequences
of our financial decisions. During National Financial Literacy Month, we
recommit to improving financial literacy and ensuring all Americans have
access to trustworthy financial services and products.
The financial crisis was fueled by a lack of responsibility from Wall
Street to Washington. It devastated ordinary Americans, many of whom
were caught by hidden fees and penalties or saddled with loans they
could not afford. Preventing a recurrence will require both better
behavior and oversight on Wall Street and more informed decisionmaking
on Main Street and in homes across our country. To lay the foundation
for continued prosperity, we must expand the availability of financial
products and services that are fair, affordable, understandable, and
reliable. We must also strive to ensure all Americans have the skills to
manage their fiscal resources effectively and avoid deceptive or
predatory practices.
Building on the important protections in the Credit Card Accountability,
Responsibility, and Disclosure Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform
and Consumer Protection Act, which I signed into law last year, will
help restore financial stability by enforcing the strongest consumer
financial protections in history. This Act created the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau, an agency with one job--to look out for the
interests of Americans as they interact with the financial system. My
Administration also established the President's Advisory Council on
Financial Capability to assist the American people in understanding and
addressing financial matters and to identify effective approaches to
increase financial capability through education and access.
Additionally, the National Strategy for Financial Literacy provides a
new framework for strategic coordination and an overarching financial
literacy strategy.
While our Government is taking decisive action to promote financial
stability, our Nation's prosperity will ultimately depend on our
willingness as individuals to empower ourselves and our families with
financial knowledge. For more information on improving financial
literacy, concerned individuals may visit www.MyMoney.gov or
www.ConsumerFinance.gov, or call toll-free 1-888-MyMoney for guidance
and resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2011 as National
Financial Literacy Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this
month with programs and activities to improve their understanding of
financial principles and practices.

[[Page 1990]]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA