Former Rep. Steve LaTourette, the primary Republican sponsor of the 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act, died Wednesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
He was 62.
LaTourette was instrumental in passing the legislation that opened up credit unions to multiple groups. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) introduced the legislation in March 1997, but the bill lacked a Republican co-sponsor. Banks were well entrenched with many Republicans at the time, but LaTourette, the 27th ranking member of the House Banking and Financial Services, agreed to join Kanjorski as primary sponsors.
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Enactment of the bill became urgent in 1998, when the U.S. Supreme Court sided with bankers in a battle over whether AT&T Family Credit Union could expand its field of membership.
"Congressman LaTourette was a genuine centrist, a bridge builder and the ideal lawmaker to sponsor the Credit Union Member Access Act (H.R. 1151), said John McKechnie, a senior partner at Total Spectrum, who was vice president of legislative affairs at CUNA at the time the bill was introduced. "If it weren't for his personality and profile, and his ability to work well with our other House champion, Congressman Kanjorski, I'm not sure if H.R. 1151 would have gotten done."
NCUA Chairman Rick Metsger also praised LaTourette Thursday.
"Former Congressman Steve LaTourette was a thoughtful, dedicated, principled public servant who was skilled in the legislative process and believed in finding common ground and solutions," he said, adding that the Republican was a strong supporter of credit unions throughout his 18 years in the House.
NAFCU President/CEO Dan Berger added, "We were saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman Steve LaTourette. He was a valued friend of credit unions and a vocal champion in the fight to ensure consumers' ability to choose where they will obtain financial services. NAFCU remains grateful to him for his leadership and support on credit union issues, particularly as a chief sponsor of the 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act. Our thoughts are with his family."
CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle, who served with LaTourette in the House for 12 years, also released a statement of appreciation.
"The credit union world – CUNA most certainly included – will never forget the bold role Steve took to preserve consumers' access to financial choice," Nussle said. "By co-sponsoring the landmark 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act (H.R. 1151), he acted to preserve the right of consumers to join credit unions, essentially overturning a Supreme Court decision on the matter. Steve's leadership was key to the success of that momentous fight, and it illustrates just one time of many when he fought the good fight for credit union priorities."
LaTourette, a former prosecutor, was first elected to the House in 1994. Throughout his tenure, he was known as a moderate Republican who could work well with Democrats. When he announced his retirement, LaTourette said he was tired of the partisan bickering that was plaguing Congress.
LaTourette is survived by his wife Jennifer and six children, including Ohio state Rep. Sarah LaTourette.
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