Congressman visits Valdosta Middle students

March 29--VALDOSTA -- Congressman Austin Scott visited Capitol Hill Challenge Stock Market Game students this week at Valdosta Middle School.

Scott, who represents Georgia's Eighth Congressional District, said he was visiting the school to show support for the stock market challenge, where students manage a hypothetical $100,000 and invest in real stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

"I think it's wonderful that we're teaching these young men and women real-world knowledge that they need to have for investing in the future," Scott said.

The VMS students are from Sharon Breeden's eighth-grade class and are Capital Hill Challenge participants. As part of the Capital Hill Challenge, members of Congress are matched with students, teachers and schools who compete in the game, according to the stock market game website.

Two of the VMS stock market game participants, Delroy Mattis and Isabelle Lopez, introduced Scott.

"Congressman Scott's political experience on the Georgia state level and his background in risk management have given him a unique perspective in Washington," Lopez said. "He utilizes that understanding to write and promote legislation which works to open access to more financial opportunities for American businesses, eliminate burdens and regulations on entrepreneurs and investors and provide economic opportunities for the next generation."

Mattis said Scott has congressional offices in Georgia, Warner Robins and Tifton, and an office in Washington, D.C.

Scott said he had been an insurance broker and his brokerage license was as a stock broker. He offered financial advice to the students for their future, advice he said he had been given in the past.

"When you get that first job, when you get that first opportunity to put money into a 401K or a retirement plan, go ahead and start," Scott said. "Even if it's only $25 a month, the number one issue is to get started with it and to get started with it when you're young."

Kimberly Cannon is a Reporter with The Valdosta Daily Times. Her extension is 1376.

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