[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 7937]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING RON RIOUX

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to Mr. Ron Rioux for his outstanding work in helping low income 
New Hampshire residents achieve the goal of home ownership. Ron is the 
President and CEO of St. Mary's Bank, a not-for-profit, member-owned 
association and home of the Nation's first credit union. St. Mary's 
Bank, under Ron's careful guidance, is a company that faithfully 
upholds the ideals of corporate responsibility, good citizenship and 
core values. The bank's commitment to giving back to the greater 
community is evident in its many partnerships with local nonprofit 
organizations and its sponsorship of a scholarship program for local 
high school seniors.
  Ron's leadership has extended to other organizations as well, 
including the New Hampshire Credit Union League, which is comprised of 
31 consumer-owned credit unions across the State. The Credit Union 
League has undertaken a new venture providing financial and loan 
assistance to deserving families.
  In 2003, the New Hampshire Credit Union League announced a 5-year, 
$35 million commitment to reach out to financially disadvantaged New 
Hampshire residents. Credit unions across the State recognized the need 
to improve the availability of affordable housing in New Hampshire and 
established a community loan program, in conjunction with Neighborhood 
Housing Services of Manchester, in order to provide affordable housing, 
financial counseling and loan programs to this underserved population. 
Ron serves as chairman of the committee that secured the participation 
of New Hampshire credit unions in this program and was the driving 
force for creating the financial assistance fund in the first place. 
This new program is an excellent example of the working partnerships 
that help make the dream of home ownership a reality for many 
financially disadvantaged families.
  Ron Rioux believes strongly in the adage that each credit union is an 
integral part of the community it serves. The formation of this new 
community loan program exemplifies just that. The program will not only 
allow many first-time home buyers the ability to lay a foundation to 
build wealth that they can pass on to future generations, it will 
rebuild the community and grow livable and safe neighborhoods.
  Ron and the New Hampshire Credit Union League saw an imperative need 
to make home ownership an affordable reality for many New Hampshire 
families and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to put this plan into 
action. Always humble, Ron refuses to take credit for the formation of 
this community loan program, instead pointing the spotlight on the 
efforts of the entire league and its members. His tireless commitment 
to assisting first-time home buyers is a wonderful example of his 
perseverance and his dedication to improving the community and State in 
which he lives. Ron's hard work, determination and ability to motivate 
those around him to reach greater heights is truly commendable. I am 
honored to represent concerned and conscientious citizens such as Ron 
Rioux in the United States House of Representatives.

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