WASHINGTON - CUNA has received the Award of Excellence in the 2006 Association's Advance America Awards, for its Home Loan Payment Relief program.

AAA is a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

The recognition puts CUNA in the running to receive a Summit Award, ASAE's top recognition for association programs, which will be presented in ceremonies at ASAE's 7th Annual Summit Awards Dinner on Sept. 20 at the National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.

Launched by CUNA in Oct. 2005, the HLPR program is designed to provide below-market-rate loans to borrowers at or below the median in their markets. As of May 2006, 133 credit unions have committed more than $1.1 billion to the initiative.

The AAA's awards program recognizes associations that help advance the U.S. through innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, and citizenship and community service.

This is the 16th year the awards are being presented.