Operation HOPE Uses Global Financial Literacy Summit To Honor Proponents of Financial Literacy

(LOS ANGELES – June 30, 2009) – Recognizing the efforts of individuals and companies nationwide, global financial literacy Operation HOPE acknowledged those whose work has advanced the ideals of ‘silver rights’ – HOPE’s mission to make free enterprise and capitalism relevant to underserved communities. The international gathering at the Global Financial Literacy Summit was treated to the ceremonial announcement by HOPE Founder, Chairman, and CEO John Hope Bryant as he awarded Federal Reserve Chairman Bernard Bernanke and Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair with the Chairman’s Award, and Stephen Ryan, Esq. with the prestigious Board Member of the Year Award.

Other key directors and supporters also acknowledged with awards for their outstanding support of HOPE include:

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee
For your strong and visionary leadership in the area of advancing financial literacy and silver rights through HR 1325 
Congresswoman Diane Watson
For your strong leadership, consistency of public service, and your vision in the area of advancing financial literacy and silver rights
Arlen Gelbard
For your bold and responsible corporate leadership resulting in the largest commitment for silver rights in Operation HOPE history
Dr. Leonard Haynes
For your leadership and vision around the historic Operation HOPE/HBCU Partnership to empower students with financial literacy and silver rights
Robert Marchman
For your vision and leadership as an advocate for financial literacy and silver rights on Wall Street to Main Street 
Don McGrath
For your compassionate leadership as CEO, your vision as chairman, and your bridge building as a corporate silver rights soldier for good
Sandra Thompson, FDIC
For your caring leadership in the area of unbanked initiatives and financial literacy for the under-served through MoneySmart
Bill Walbrecher
For your bold and re-imagined leadership inside HOPE, so that I can lead outside HOPE

“The achievements of these individuals throughout the year serve as a foundation for our continued success. We want to take the opportunity to acknowledge their efforts to promote financial literacy and thereby helping to advance our struggle to alleviate poverty. Education is the ultimate poverty eradication tool and financial literacy is one of the most important issues facing our nation today,” said Bryant.