WASHINGTON-Not only is CUNA frequently adding speakers to its agenda for the Governmental Affairs Conference slated for Feb. 26 through March 2, the organization has also added an entire NCUA Access Across America Economic Empowerment workshop. House Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) and House Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), who has expressed an interest in helping credit unions get the `net worth' issue with regard to proposed accounting changes resolved, have accepted invitations to speak at the GAC. The Maryland Credit Union League also recently announced in its online newsletter, FOCUS, that Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) will be speaking at the GAC. In addition, NCUA will host an Access Across America Economic Empowerment workshop Sunday, Feb. 27. The agency has specifically put together an agenda focused on federal government partnerships that will include representatives from NCUA, Treasury, and the Small Business Administration. Topics of discussion will include Health Savings Accounts, the New Markets Tax Credit, and member business lending. Credit union executives involved in these activities will also provide useful information for participants. "We are pleased to present this Access Across America workshop for the CUNA GAC attendees," said NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson, who will be opening the workshop. "NCUA has hosted several successful Access Across America Economic Empowerment Summits across the United States, however, this forum will provide an opportunity to reach a broader audience. We appreciate CUNA for providing this forum to inform credit unions about the federal resources available to them as they expand their member services." The workshop is open to all GAC attendees but space is limited. CUNA previously announced that the featured speaker will be retired General Tommy Franks. House Financial Services Committee Chairman Mike Oxley (R-Ohio) and Ranking Member Barney Frank (D-Mass.), House Financial Services Committee Members Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.), and House Ways and Means Committee Member John Lindner (R-Ga.) are also on the speakers' list. Administration officials to make appearances on the GAC stage include Treasury Secretary John Snow, NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson and Board Member Debbie Matz, and Federal Reserve Governor Mark Olson. -

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