Congressman Sodrel, CURIA Sponsor, Named `Outstanding Hoosier Legislator' by Indiana CUs

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Congressman Mike Sodrel (R) was named as the Indiana Credit Union League's Outstanding Hoosier Legislator for 2005 in recognition of his support for the state's CUs and their 2.2 million members. Since taking office in January, Rep. Sodrel has met with Indiana CU leaders on several occasions both in Washington, D.C. and in his district. “His accessibility as well as his receptiveness to our message about how consumers and small business owners benefit from credit unions has been tremendous,” said League President/CEO John McKenzie. In April, Sodrel voted to pass bankruptcy reform legislation, and he recently signed on to co-sponsor the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act. “He has been so supportive of credit unions as a new congressman,” McKenzie said, adding his appreciation of Sodrel's co-sponsorship of CURIA. Sodrel accepted the award during the Indiana League's statewide convention on Oct. 8. He told attendees he was honored to receive the award and related to them his experiences in Congress in his freshman year as well as explained some of his historical inspiration for serving the people of Indiana. Sodrel is also the owner of a business, and he told conferees that several years ago he asked his employees what could be added to improve their benefits plan. They told him they wanted to be able to join a credit union.