FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    99-140

SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt, Congressional and State Officials To
        Conduct Investors' Town Meeting in Albuquerque
                                
Free program will offer area residents practical tips for saving
                          and investing
                                
     Washington, DC, October 25, 1999 -- U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission Chairman Arthur Levitt will conduct an
Investors' Town Meeting in Albuquerque, NM, on Saturday, November
20, at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center.  Levitt will
discuss how to make informed investment decisions, monitor
investments, and avoid costly mistakes.

     The free program of practical tips for saving and investing
wisely will also feature New Mexico Congresswoman Heather Wilson,
New Mexico Securities Division Acting Director William J. Verant,
and the Chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives
subcommittee that oversees securities regulation, Congressman
Michael Oxley.

     The Investors' Town Meeting in Albuquerque will be the 33rd
of a national series launched five years ago to promote public
understanding of the securities markets and awareness of the
risks and rewards of investing.

     "We have more investors and ways to invest than ever before,
creating new opportunities for American families.  But investing
in the stock market will always entail risk," Levitt said.  "The
more you know about investments and how they're sold, the more
likely you will achieve financial security."

     Americans have become increasingly responsible for their own
financial security in recent years, especially with the shift
from traditional pensions to self-directed 401(k) plans and other
retirement accounts.  Today, nearly half of America's households
own stocks or bonds directly, through mutual funds, or through
pension plans.

     "I am very pleased that Chairman Levitt accepted my
invitation to come to Albuquerque," Wilson said.  "This is a
great opportunity for investors and those thinking about
investing to hear from the nation's financial leaders.  I welcome
the Chairman and my good friend Rep. Michael Oxley to the Land of
Enchantment."

     In addition to the town meeting, the program will include a
series of one-hour investing seminars, with sessions on stocks,
bonds, mutual funds, and online investing.

     "Informative seminars and the chance to question key
legislative and regulatory officials make this an opportunity not
to be missed," said Verant, whose office will conduct a seminar
on choosing an online broker.  "The New Mexico Securities
Division is proud to participate in this very important and
unique opportunity for New Mexicans to get answers to some of the
most pressing issues facing investors today."

     The Investors' Town Meeting will take place at the Radisson
Hotel and Conference Center, 2500 Carlisle Northeast, from 10:00
to 11:45 a.m., followed by investing seminars at 12:00 and 1:00
p.m.  Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. so attendees can browse
through investor education exhibits and pick up brochures.

     Admission is free, but reservations are recommended because
seating is limited.  To reserve a seat, call (800) 216-6667 toll-
free, or send an e-mail to chavez@sec.gov.  Anyone who needs
auxiliary aids to attend the town meeting, such as a sign
language interpreter, should call the SEC's Regional Office in
Denver at (303) 877-1035.

Investors' Town Meeting Schedule of Events

9:00 to 10:00 a.m. -- Registration and Investor Education
                      Displays

10:00 to 11:45 a.m. -- Town Meeting and Q & A Session

11:45 to 12:00 p.m. -- Break and Complimentary Refreshments

12:00 to 1:00 p.m. -- Investment Seminars (choose one)

     *    Successful Investing -- Basic Principles for New Investors
     *    Investment Strategy -- For Experienced Investors
     *    Choosing a Broker -- Online?  Or not?
     *    Understanding Bonds

1:00 to 2:00 p.m. -- Investment Seminars (choose one)

     *    Introduction to Mutual Funds -- For Beginning Investors
     *    Want to Work Forever?  If Not, Choose to Save!
     *    Selecting Stocks for the Long Term
     *    Understanding Bonds

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