Mike Welch correctly points out (CU Time, Oct. 3) that a number of important credit union meetings were cancelled in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. NAFCU's Congressional Caucus was one of those meetings. Simply stated, the NAFCU Board decided it could not send our members to the Hill when Congress and the administration must be clearly focused on national security issues. Mike goes on to speculate that NAFCU might "possibly" cancel other meetings. That is not correct. NAFCU will conduct all remaining 2001 meetings and education seminars as scheduled. In fact, we are working on the 2002 conference line-up, and it includes even more events than in 2001. We have also begun to plan next year's Caucus, and of particular note, some credit unions have already registered to attend. Many NAFCU members have told me they feel credit unions should be helping our country get back on its feet – as a show of support for our way of life in America, as a way to boost our economy, and as a confidence-builder for their own employees and members. For them, that means continuing to travel, and attending industry meetings and conferences. More importantly, it means doing what credit unions do best – working hard to ensure that financial services are available to their members, especially to those personally affected by the attacks and those who now have been called to active military service. So yes, NAFCU will hold its educational events, and it is working on new and innovative programs for next year. I personally plan to continue my travel schedule, visiting credit unions at local planning conferences and regional events as I have done these last two years. Fred Becker President and CEO NAFCU Arlington, Va.