Washington, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) announced today that he will support the nomination of Dr. Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve. The Senate will vote on Dr. Bernanke's nomination tomorrow.

During a meeting this afternoon in his Capitol Hill office, Senator Akaka and Dr. Bernanke discussed a number of issues involving our nation's economy, such as financial and economic education, remittances, credit card disclosures, and banking the unbanked.

"Dr. Bernanke is well qualified to lead the Federal Reserve and I look forward to his confirmation as Chairman," said Senator Akaka. "We share a commitment to improving the financial literacy of our students and consumers. I look forward to working with the new Chairman to encourage better economic and financial literacy, which, in turn, will result in stronger families, better-functioning markets, and a more secure future for our nation."

Dr. Bernanke is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He replaces Alan Greenspan, who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve for 18 years