WASHINGTON – Representative Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) retained his title as the fastest member of Congress at the 39th ACLI Capital Challenge road race on Wednesday.
More than 300 Washington leaders competed in the race, which benefits Junior Achievement USA and its financial literacy program. Junior Achievement’s educational programs reach more than 3 million students per year in all 50 states.
“It was wonderful that so many of Washington’s leaders could join us for the ACLI Capital Challenge,” said ACLI President and CEO Susan Neely. “Thanks to the support from the runners, ACLI is able to help Junior Achievement provide students in all 50 states with critical financial education that will help them prepare for adulthood. ACLI is committed to supporting financial literacy initiatives that impact Americans of all ages, and the race helps us highlight the importance of financial literacy to national policymakers.”
Added Jack Kosakowski, President and CEO of Junior Achievement USA: “Financial literacy is a major need in our nation. With the support of this race, JA will be able to deliver more financial literacy programs to young people across the country.”
Gallagher, who participated in a Zoom call with a Junior Achievement student from his home district in Wisconsin last month, finished in 18:28. He’s been the fastest member of Congress each of the four years he’s participated in the race.
Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) was the fastest female member of Congress, finishing in 28:08. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) was the fastest female Senator with a time of 28:22.
Other members of Congress participating included Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Pa.), and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.). Sinema, who set the ACLI Capital Challenge record in 2019 for the fastest time by a female member of Congress, walked today’s race in a protective boot due to an injury.
Sens. Sinema and Capito also participated in Zoom calls this month with Junior Achievement students from their states.
The race featured runners from Congress, the executive and judicial branches of the federal government and news media organizations. Sen. Sinema’s team was the fastest in the Senate, while Rep. Golden’s team was the fastest in the House.
Also competing was Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who ran in the race for the 11th time. In addition, 10-mile record holder Keira D’Amato served as the official “whistle blower” for the race. She then joined the race at the back of the pack and ran to support the participants.
A complete list of participants and race results is available at CapitalChallenge.com. Additional information about the race is available at capitalchallenge.acli.com and on Twitter at @ACLINews and via the hashtag #CapChallenge.
Supporting race sponsors included ACLI member companies: AIG, Aflac, Boston Mutual, Guardian Life, Hannover Life Reassurance, Jackson National, Met Life, New York Life, OneAmerica, Pacific Life, Primerica, Principal Financial Group, Protective Life, RGA, Transamerica, Unum, USAA, Western and Southern Financial Group. Other sponsors included Akin Gump, Invariant and CQ Roll Call.
The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI’s member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers’ financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI’s 280 member companies represent 95 percent of industry assets in the United States.
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