From left, Carolinas CU Foundation CEO John McGrail, Levine Children’s Hospital CEO Martha Whitecotton, Assistant Democratic Leader Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney, South Carolina League President/CEO Steve Fowler and North Carolina League President/CEO John Radebaugh make ready to cut the ribbon opening the newly renovated rooftop play area at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte.
CUNA made a big show in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, hosting three events during the Democratic National Convention.
House Assistant Minority Leader James Clyburn (D-S.C.) served as a VIP guest when the trade association unveiled its “leave-behind” project during a ribbon-cutting celebration at Levine Children’s Hospital.
The project converted existing rooftop space on the hospital’s 12th floor into a dynamic outdoor play space, adding a deck and pavilion, outdoor play equipment and environmental improvements.
Clyburn noted the importance of credit unions leaving convention communities better off than they found them. The industry completed a similar project in Tampa, Fla. last week in conjunction with the Republican National Convention.
CUNA also hosted between 250 and 300 DNC delegates and more than a dozen federal lawmakers at a local Charlotte restaurant, providing delegates, lawmakers and credit union leaders an opportunity to mingle, discuss convention events and credit union issues, and nosh on munchies before returning to Time Warner Cable Arena to see former President Bill Clinton’s speech.
A third event, the National Journal's Convention Daily Briefings, featured DNC newsmakers as it did in Tampa for the RNC, and was co-sponsored by CUNA.
The session featured Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who discussed Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan's budget plan and how Van Hollen thinks it has helped Democrats in House races across the county.
The executive directors of both the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee also spoke, and the event ended with The Cook Political Report's Jennifer Duffy and David Wasserman.
Trey Hawkins, CUNA vice president of political affairs, said participation in the national conventions overall is "an opportunity to continue to develop our political brand."
