Frederick Douglass High School Students Participating in 'Capitol Hill Challenge'

UPPER MARLBORO - Congressman Steny Hoyer visited Frederick Douglass High School today to talk to students and faculty about their participation in The Stock Market Game. Frederick Douglass students have been competing in the 'Capitol Hill Challenge' since March, which is supported by Congressman Steny Hoyer and 16 other members of Congress to introduce high school students to our capital markets.

The competition uses the Securities Industry Association's educational program, The Stock Market Game and puts students at the Frederick Douglass High School in competition with students in 12 other states for a grand-prize trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with their member of Congress and tour the nation's capital.

While visiting with the students and faculty, Congressman Hoyer said, "last July, I spent a morning at the New York Stock Exchange and got to ring the opening bell. It was a thrilling environment and the energy in this program captures the excitement on the floor of the Exchange.

"These 'real-life' exercises will sharpen your analytical skills, and your ability to understand economic principles, which I use daily in my life. I encourage each of you to keep up the great work," Rep. Hoyer concluded.

"Congressman Steny Hoyer and his colleagues on the Hill should be congratulated for supporting this important educational program, which provides these young people with an introduction to the fundamentals of saving and investing," said Securities Industry Association Chairman Richard E. Thornburgh, chief risk officer for Credit Suisse Group and a member of the Credit Suisse Group executive board.

The Stock Market Game Program is the nation's first and largest educational stock-market simulation program. Each student or team of students was given a hypothetical $100,000 to "invest" over a 10-week period, which will end May 7, 2004.

# # #