I just wanted to say Mike Welch's comments with respect to CUNA's marked improvement over the past five years were right on point ("As trade groups and CUs grow, so do salaries", CU Times, Aug. 21). The difference is striking. In an American Banker article just last week, CNBC commentator and former FDIC Chairman L. William Seidman-never one to harbor a pro-credit union bias-stated that credit unions "have the most powerful political organization on Capitol Hill." The leadership, efficacy, and focus we've seen from Dan Mica and his staff at CUNA have in turn energized credit unions at the grassroots level and contributed greatly to our strong standing in Washington. Mike was right to cast a nod of recognition CUNA's way. Robert W. Hoefer President/CEO Dupaco Community Credit Union Dubuque, Iowa