U.S. policy regarding the continent of Africa is described in the administration's fiscal year 2010 congressional budget justification.

Although the merchant shipping industry has made significant improvements in on-ship security measures over the last few months, far more is needed.

The tenets of our comprehensive policy towards Africa are democracy, good governance, peace and security, human rights, economic growth and prosperity, and investment in the education and health of people.

We implement our policy at the country level as well as with sub-regional African organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States.

It's a major expansion, Mr. Chairman. We're so pleased to see what they're doing.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Yes. I was down at Scott Air Force Base, where General McNabb was saying that they're concerned about the future of those C-5s.

Are we letting the foreign competition absorb our industrial base?

I was down at Scott Air Force Base, are you familiar with that?

I'm just wondering what's going to happen if there's nothing else that's going to come to use that line.

I hope there's something in the budget to keep Scott up and running.

I wish there was some kind of way--because I have tried to do this.

Well, do you think that the President's position on credit cards and the latest promotion will help the situation at all?

I am excited about the agenda. I am a cosponsor on quite a few of these bills.

I wish that you would try to keep some type of data on that, some type of a record so we can see how successful it is.

I hope that there's enough leeway in the Secretary's discretion to be able to make a difference.

I have heard some local promotions about paying off your credit cards or if you only pay the minimum payment, but I did not even know the Federal Government had any role in trying to educate the consumer.

I am pretty sure you could always say you could use some more, right, to reach more--because as Mr. Myers said, literacy not only with Federal employees but literacy in the Nation is going to start with our children.

I bet 99 percent of the people who get that statement do not even know that is on there.

Mr. Hillman, you noted that the President's Advisory Council has been successful in creating needed partnerships with the public and private sectors.

Does the Federal Reserve still have those educational programs, where you can go to the Federal Reserve and learn about money?

I would just like to welcome our witnesses today and thank them for taking the time to be here and tell us about the work their various agencies are doing to promote financial literacy and education throughout the country.

I know that this issue is important to Senator Akaka, and I commend you on the timing of this hearing, Mr. Chairman, because it is the end of the Financial Literacy Month, so you timed that just right.

We know that certain minority populations are considered high risk due to the prevalence of pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and asthma.

I want to thank you all. I think that is the end of my questions.