WASHINGTON-CUNA's program to identify all credit union members by zip code-hence the name Project Zip Code-to use in lobbying and credit union business, has topped 34 million affiliated-credit union members identified. CUNA Vice President of Political Affairs Richard Gose commented, "Elections are coming up. It's always nice to be able to show them how you can be supportive of them in their elections and so forth. So I think there's a lot to talk about and talking about something and sticking it on a piece of paper and sticking it in front of somebody's face with the actual numbers is a real eye-catcher." At 34 million, Project Zip Code has surpassed the 45% identification rate, Gose said. He added that some states are doing a good job of cataloging the numbers of members in each district. He offered up South Carolina – the league was in town for its Hike the Hill last week – as a prime example with 72% of members identified. "This is going to make a real impression on folks and we look forward to seeing how these Hike the Hills start changing with this additional information.You've got something more to talk about with folks," Gose said. Also in town last week for Hike the Hills were the New York and New Mexico leagues. In addition to numbers, credit unions have loyalty on their side. "One of the things that affects (politicians) more than anything else is the fact that folks are loyal to their credit unions, and we have enough polling data and enough empirical evidence of that to show that folks are going to listen to their credit unions. It is another credible voice in the political debate and it's a voice that has a large audience in those districts," Gose emphasized "It makes it a much more real number to members of Congress when you can show them that," CUNA Vice President of Legislative Affairs and Senior Legislative Counsel Gary Kohn added. "There are some districts that have over a quarter-million or even higher, so when you can show them that, then all the sudden they start to think differently." [email protected]