ARLINGTON, Va., April 17 -- Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America issued the following news release:

InVEST, the insurance industry's premier classroom to career education program, today participated in Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill.

"InVEST believes in partnering with organizations that understand the importance of financial literacy, particularly when it comes to insurance," says Jennifer Robinson, InVEST program manager. "InVEST is honored and delighted to attend this important event that creates public awareness and understanding for the need of financial literacy."

Robinson and Jen McPhillips, Big "I" senior director of federal government affairs, participated in the annual event along with representatives from more than 60 other organizations committed to increasing financial literacy awareness.

United States Sens. Daniel K Akaka (D-Hawaii) and Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) serve as honorary co-chairs of the event. Other supporters include Sens. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C,) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.). Reps. Judy Biggert (R-Ill.) and Ruben Hinojosa (D-Texas) serve as honorary co-hosts in the House of Representatives and also participate in the Senate event.

Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill was introduced in 2003 by the Council for Economic Education, Junior Achievement and the Jump$tart Coalition.

The annual event has evolved from a small gathering to a public event that attracts hundreds of financial education advocates, members of Congress and their staffs, and the general public. The location of the event alternates each year between the House and Senate sides of U.S. Capitol complex.

"InVEST provides the industry with young professionals from high schools and community colleges across the country through a support structure of insurance associations, a volunteer board, national staff, teachers and many industry professionals who work in the field as classroom liaisons," says Robert Rusbuldt, Big "I" president & CEO. "The need for financial literacy and the fact that everyone needs at least several insurance products makes this program worthy of every high school and college campus in the this country. We're very supportive of Congress for hosting 'Financial Literacy Day' to stress the importance of such programs, and are honored to participate."

Founded in 1970 and based in Alexandria, Va., InVEST promotes insurance education in order to attract individuals to pursue a career in the insurance industry. Each year, the program prepares thousands of students for insurance-related careers with a hands-on curriculum taught in high schools, adult education centers and community colleges. The high school curriculum is a business-education program that utilizes a hands-on approach which simulates an insurance agency and company operations to prepare students for various business careers and create more knowledgeable insurance consumers. At the college level, InVEST is an information-intensive curriculum of risk management and financial services. These courses provide students with a working knowledge of the basics needed to pursue careers in the insurance industry. For more information, go to www.investprogram.org.

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