[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 130 (Tuesday, September 15, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2265-E2266]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RECOGNIZING 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNION ACT

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                               speech of

                          HON. MARK E. SOUDER

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 9, 2009

  Mr. SOUDER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res 556 
recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Federal Credit Union Act and to 
acknowledge the great work of credit unions throughout the Third 
Congressional District.
  Indiana has a long history with credit unions and in fact, was the 
first Midwestern state to pass a law permitting their founding. In 
October of 1923, the first credit union in the Midwest opened its doors 
in Indiana. Today there are 206 credit unions throughout my state that 
count over 2 million Indiana residents among its members.
  The Federal Credit Union Act of 1934 was originally passed, in part, 
to help make credit available to underserved communities. These 
financial cooperatives were organized by people primarily tied together 
by some common bond. Today, credit unions continue to provide unique 
services to both their members and communities.
  The Chiphone Federal Credit Union of Elkhart, IN has been providing 
service since 1947 and today has over 17,000 members. They have strong 
ties to the community and received honorable mention from the Indiana 
Credit Union League in both the Dora Maxwell Awards and Louise Herring 
Awards which recognize outstanding efforts in social responsibility and 
community service and the credit union that best puts the credit union 
philosophy in action respectively.
  In Auburn Indiana, DeKalb Financial Credit Union provides both 
superior financial service and to support local charities through 
service activities and donations. The Relay for Life, March of Dimes 
and WFGA Kite Fly have all

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benefitted from its community-oriented philosophy. DeKalb Financial 
serves as a drop off point for Food Bank donations and this past year 
provided five area students scholarships for college. In addition, 
DeKalb Financial continues to be a proud corporate sponsor for one of 
the area's National Historic Landmarks, the Auburn Cord Duesenberg 
Museum.
  The East Allen Credit Union provides quality financial services for 
over 2,400 members. Whether it is helping its members plan for the 
costs of college or assisting in the purchase of the new family car, 
East Allen has been an asset to the New Haven community for nearly 45 
years.
  Financial Members Federal Credit Union of Auburn, Indiana has been 
delivering quality service to the people of DeKalb County since 1972. 
During its years of operation, it has contributed to its valued members 
and surrounding community by providing low-cost financial products and 
service activity and donations.
  In Woodburn, IN, the Financial Partners Federal Credit Union has been 
providing sound financial services to residents and employees of East 
Allen County for over 40 years. Through its regular contributions to 
the area food bank and the ice cream socials it hosts for its members, 
Financial Partners illustrates the personal attention and community-
oriented service that make credit unions such unique institutions.
  Founded over 75 years ago, The Fire Police City County Federal Credit 
Union of Fort Wayne, IN not only provides great service to its members, 
but has won awards from the Indiana Credit Union League for both 
community involvement and for demonstrating the credit union philosophy 
in its activities. Activities such as Making Strides Against Cancer, 
fundraising for the Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults 
and volunteering for Fire Prevention Week are emblematic of credit 
unions commitment to the community.
  Indiana Lakes Federal Credit Union in Warsaw, Indiana has been 
delivering quality, low cost financial services to the people of 
Kosciusko County for over 30 years. During this time, it has proved to 
be a tremendous asset to its 3,600 members and has contributed to the 
community through various forms of service activities and donations.
  In Elkhart, IN, INVOA Federal Credit Union recently contributed $5000 
to Project Healing Water to assist in its mission to aid the recovery 
of wounded, injured, or disabled veterans by introducing them to 
fishing and using these skills for lifelong recreation. Credit Union 
employees personally raised the funds and the contribution was used to 
help transport and host veterans at the 2009 event along the Albany 
River in Ontario, Canada. INOVA is also supporting the economic growth 
of its community and has partnered with the City of Elkhart to provide 
free internet service along the downtown Riverwalk and promote future 
downtown development. This commitment to service is exemplified by its 
President and CEO, Dallas Bergl, who recently received the Indiana 
Credit Union League's Professional Achievement award for his support 
and promotion of credit union ideals throughout Indiana.
  In Goshen, Indiana, the Interra Credit Union has been recognized by 
the Indiana Credit Union League in nine consecutive years for its 
service activities. These include a financial pledge of $10,000 to 
assist Goshen College fund the construction of a new music building, 
annual scholarships for high school seniors, along with regular 
involvement in events like the American Cancer Socity's Relay for Life 
and the Michiana Menenonite Relief Sale. Interra also works to improve 
youth financial literacy by providing lessons and educational resources 
on budgeting, credit, investment and savings.
  For over 70 years, ITT Employees Federal Credit Union has provided 
its members and community with first-rate service. Its efforts have led 
ITT to be recognized as the best credit union in Fort Wayne by an area 
newspaper survey. The nearly 4000 members of ITT are fortunate to have 
such a dedicated organization providing them financial services.
  In my District, the Three Rivers Credit Union of Fort Wayne, Indiana 
was honored for its efforts to help alleviate poverty and was awarded 
2nd Place in the 2008 national Dora Maxwell Awards for social 
responsibility. As the primary sponsor of ``Canstruction,'' it brought 
together high school students and staff from various engineering and 
design firms to create giant structures entirely out of canned food. 
Over 80 members of the Three Rivers Credit Union volunteered for the 
event that resulted in a donation of 83,529 cans of food to the 
community food bank, the largest single donation in its history.
  In Fort Wayne, IN the newly founded Union Baptist Federal Credit 
Union personifies the personal attention and community-oriented service 
that makes credit unions such unique institutions. Believing in self-
sufficiency through empowerment, the Union Baptist Credit Union 
provides its 309 members quality financial services and is a welcomed 
addition to the Fort Wayne community.
  United Credit Union in Warsaw, Indiana has been delivering quality 
service to the people of Kosciusko County since 1997. During the past 
12 years, it has contributed to its valued members and surrounding 
community through service activity and donations.
  The Weatherhead Federal Credit Union of Columbia City, IN provides 
quality financial service to over 2,000 members. Whether it is through 
financial counseling or low cost home loans, Weatherhead has been a 
tremendous asset to the Columbia City community for nearly 45 years.

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