WASHINGTON, DC (June 15, 2009) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner congratulated participants in yesterday’s Budgetball Tournament on the National Mall, a demonstration of fiscal fitness in the federal government’s front yard. The team from the University of Miami triumphed over seven other teams to win the top prize; the team from Philander Smith College was the runner-up.

Fiscal policymakers representing the Treasury Department, other federal agencies, think tanks and Congress faced off against the college students in the exhibition tournament. Players included David Walker, CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation and former U.S. Comptroller General, and Robert Reischauer, President of the Urban Institute and former Director of the Congressional Budget Office.

In a statement read during the opening ceremony, Geithner said, “Recent events remind us of how important it is for people to be informed about matters related to their financial well-being. Savings and the responsible use of credit are keys to personal financial security. From the federal government’s perspective, one of the great challenges we face as a Nation is restoring and preserving fiscal responsibility. Part of that effort includes engaging American citizens about the issues and options involved.

“This is why I support initiatives like Budgetball which seek to broaden public awareness of the need for responsible financial behavior in our private and public lives. A more fiscally and financially fit public is important to a healthier economy and more prosperous future.”

“I wish I could be there to toss out the first ball, but I thank all the participants and wish you all good luck.”

House Budget Committee Ranking Member Paul Ryan (R-WI) issued a statement of support for the tournament last week: “Budgetball is an innovative way to teach students about saving, investing, taxes and debt in a fun, accessible way.”

Budgetball is a team sport similar to Ultimate Frisbee and designed to build awareness, especially among young people, about the nation’s growing financial challenges and the trade-offs involved in solving them. Today’s tournament was hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration, which helped design the game, and by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which supported its development. National Journal Group was the media co-sponsor of the event.

Inquiring media should contact Elizabeth Wilner or Myra Sung at the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, 212-542-9200, or ewilner@pgpf.org and msung@pgpf.org.

About the Peter G. Peterson Foundation:
Founded by the Chairman Emeritus of The Blackstone Group with a commitment of $1 billion, the Foundation is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the nature and urgency of key economic challenges threatening America’s future and to accelerating action on them. To address these challenges successfully, we work to bring Americans together to find sensible, long-term solutions that transcend age, party lines and ideological divides in order to achieve real results. For more information, see www.PGPF.org.

About the National Academy of Public Administration:
The National Academy of Public Administration is a nonprofit, independent coalition of top public management and organizational leaders that tackles the nation’s most critical and complex challenges. With a network of more than 600 distinguished Fellows and an experienced professional staff, the National Academy is uniquely qualified and trusted across government to provide objective advice and practical solutions based on systematic research and expert analysis. Established in 1967 and chartered by Congress, the National Academy continues to make a positive impact by helping federal, state and local governments respond effectively to current circumstances and changing conditions.

About National Journal Group:
National Journal Group is the leading source of nonpartisan reporting on the current political environment and emerging policy trends. National Journal Group’s online and broadcast properties include National Journal, CongressDaily, The Hotline, NationalJournal.com, The Capital Source, The Almanac of American Politics, and “Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and National Journal.”

For Media Inquiries:
Myra Sung
212-542-9200/media@pgpf.org