November 12, 2002

People's Bank Sponsors 2003 Miss America's National Campaign Kick-Off Lunch In Hartford

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.
Erika Harold, Miss America 2003, unveiled her national agenda today at a forum and luncheon held in Hartford. People's Bank sponsored the luncheon attended by legislators, superintendents, and principals.

Miss Harold kicked off her campaign in Connecticut to draw attention to the state's new anti-bullying law, passed earlier this year. The law, which requires schools to develop policies regarding the issue, corresponds to Miss Harold's platform: Empowering Youth Against Violence: "Respect Yourself: Protect Yourself."

Miss Harold was a victim of racial and sexual harassment. As Miss America 2003, she is issuing a national call to action challenging every segment of society to take a proactive, comprehensive approach to eradicating bullying and tolerance of verbal and physical harassment.

People's supports anti-bullying programs in schools and communities across the state of Connecticut as a founding partner of Operation Respect CT. Operation Respect's mission is to educate, train and assist schools and community-based youth service organizations in creating safe and respectful environments for youth and the adults who work with them. John Klein, president and CEO of People's, is co-chair of Operation Respect CT, along with his wife, Carla Klein, an educator.

Over 300 students from more than 20 school districts from across the state attended the first part of the event, a two-hour forum on aggression and civility. The students, many of whom were from school districts that have participated in Operation Respect, talked about the effects of bullying on bullies, the victims and by-standers.

Miss Harold shared the podium this morning with legislative leadership and Ellen Galinsky of the Families and Work Institute who reported on the first national poll of youth and their perceptions of violence and civil behavior. Schools awarded Safe Learning Act grants to reduce bullying also were highlighted.

The Miss America Organization is a not-for-profit organization that has maintained a tradition for many decades of empowering American women to achieve their personal and professional goals, while providing a forum for them to express their opinions, talents, and intelligence.

People's (peoples.com) is a diversified financial services company providing commercial, consumer, insurance and investment services. Founded in 1842, it is the largest state-chartered bank in Connecticut with managed assets of $13 billion, 153 branches and 230 ATMs. People's is a leader in consumer and commercial banking, residential lending, insurance sales, supermarket banking and is the nation's 16th-largest issuer of MasterCard and Visa credit cards. People's subsidiaries offer brokerage services, asset management, equipment financing and leasing, and insurance services.