WOCCU Brings Knowledge of International CU Movement to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON-WOCCU celebrated International Credit Union Day Oct. 20 by informing legislative staff members of their global efforts. Staffers from numerous congressional bodies and legislative offices-including the House Financial Services, International Relations, and Small Business committees, and Representatives Artur Davis (D-Ala.), Wm. Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), Walter Jones (R-N.C.), and many others-mingled with credit union officials and staff from WOCCU and CUNA. NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson was also in attendance, as well as NCUA Board nominees Rodney E. Hood, USDA Rural Development associate administrator of the housing programs, and Gigi Hyland, Empire Corporate Federal Credit Union general counsel. The pair is expected to be confirmed shortly. WOCCU President and CEO Pete Crear addressed the crowd. He explained how WOCCU was working to bring an underground credit union in Bosnia out to the public by making credit unions legal. Crear stated that credit unions bring a taste of democracy to many countries that do not have that form of government. Ninety-one countries celebrate International Credit Union Day, CUNA Domestic and International Legislative Affairs Manager Katie Herberger noted in opening remarks. ICU Day has been celebrated the third Thursday of October since 1948.