WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- Choice One Community Credit Union CEO John Kebles recently hosted an event for Congressman Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) at the credit union to link him up with the local officials.

According to Kebles, Kanjorski spent about an hour with some area credit union officials. The Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 1537), of which the congressman is the primary co-sponsor, was a key point of interest for all participants.

Kebles has hosted events like this many times in the past. "Anytime I possibly can, I'm willing to do it. I've had a long-standing relationship with the congressman. We go back quite a way," he explained. As an aside, he said that Kanjorski was looking very well after his triple bypass surgery earlier this year.

He noted that Kanjorski has been a long-time friend of credit unions. "He's been a champion not only of this credit union but every credit union nationwide," Kebles said of Kanjorski.

Political activism like this event is crucial to the future of credit unions. "H.R. 1151 pointed that out to us. If we didn't have political clout at that time we might not be in business today," Kebles pointed out. Kanjorski took the lead in that credit union legislation as well.

He added, "In Wilkes-Barre, I pride myself for knowing all the city councilman personally." Kebles has done door-to-door grassroots work for lawmakers like Kanjorski and helped the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association work on a campaign event with others for now Senator Bob Casey (D-Pa.). He highlighted that it is important to do this type of work when you do not necessarily need anything so that the lawmakers remember you and remember that you helped them.

The PCUA also made a campaign contribution to Kanjorski's campaign during the event.