GALVESTON, Texas — The nation's financial chaos, including yesterday's takeover and sale of giant Washington Mutual Savings Bank in Seattle, continues to overshadow the "dire conditions and destruction" on the Texas Gulf Coast, in the view of Richard Ensweiler, the president/CEO of the Texas Credit Union League.
Speaking here Friday on a two-day tour of Ike-battered CUs, the league head said he realizes the enormity of the financial turmoil gripping the country and yet "the sheer devastation here is overwhelming, rivaling Katrina and yet the focus is no longer here."
Joined by league representatives, the Texas League CEO confessed that he "couldn't help but choke up" after handing out checks to homeless tellers and mail clerks "who lost everything and here they were still in makeshift facilities trying to help out members who themselves lost so much."
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He said it was a heartbreaking to hear their stories and yet "despite their personal tragedies, they go to work every day with a sincere desire to serve their members."
Stressing the urgency of meeting employee needs, the Texas League CEO said his trade group is grateful for the outpouring of donations nearing $300,000 coming in from across the U.S. "but the cost will be huge and so much more will be required."
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