U.S. Representative Adam Smith announced today that he will donate part of his recently- approved 1998 Congressional pay raise to the Exploring Business Scholarship Fund, which provides high school students with the opportunity to learn about business and economics.

"Supporting education is one of my top priorities," explained Smith. "I'm honored to be in the position to provide scholarships to this valuable program that helps provide kids with the tools they need to be successful in the 21st Century economy." Smith will formally announce his donation during a visit to the Exploring Business program at 5:00 p.m. at Camp Waskowitz, located in North Bend, on Thursday, December 4.

Students who enroll in the Exploring Business program spend three days at Camp Waskowitz learning about business and economics through informal discussions, computer simulation and hands on activities. Students create and own their own companies and have direct contact with top business leaders from the Southwest King County area. It is sponsored by the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce, the Southcenter Rotary Club, and the Foundation for Private Enterprise Education/Business Week. The program is open to all sophomores, juniors and seniors attending school in the Highline or South Central School District. All expenses are paid for by the Exploring Business Scholarship Fund supported by the business community of Southwest King County.

Smith will donate $300 of his pay raise to the scholarship fund, and will donate the rest of his pay raise to other education programs in the region.

Congress narrowly approved the 2.3 pay raise this year. Smith opposed the raise, saying, "After less than a year in office, I don't feel it's appropriate to take a pay raise. I would prefer to give it to local schools and education programs."

Exploring Business is a good program to put his money where his mouth is, said Smith. "We need to make sure that students graduate from high school with some idea about what their next step is, whether it's college, vocational school, or working," he said. "I am very supportive of programs that give students a glimpse into the working world so that they can see what it really means to be an accountant, to own your own business, and to see how it all relates to what they're learning in the classroom."