WASHINGTON – Those trying to improve the economy and get more benefits for credit unions will lose their battle "if we get selfish and self protective," Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) said today.

He said credit union employees and volunteers need to "fire up" and redouble their efforts to tell their story.

During a speech at CUNA's Political Action Conference he praised credit unions for being the most successful and stable part of the financial services sector. But he noted that the government has to rescue the big banks, even if others have to pay for those screw ups.

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"The banks messed up but we have no choice but to help them because we can't create a new banking system. There's not enough time to create a new one and even if we did the only people who could run it are those who are running the one," he said.

Kanjorski, the #2 member of the House Financial Services Committee, thanked credit unions for helping him win his tough re-election race last year.

And despite the problems that the currently is facing, he expressed optimism about the future.

"We're going to bring faith, trust and confidence back into the system," he said.

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