[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13732]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MIKE VADALA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES T. WALSH

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 29, 2006

  Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to recognize the retirement of Mike Vadala as the Chairman of the 
National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU). Elected to the 
NAFCU Board in 1997, Mike has been a leader in the credit union 
community both nationally and within my great State of New York.
  For the past 9 years, Mr. Vadala has been balancing his time as a 
NAFCU Board Member including this past year as the Chairman of the 
NAFCU Board, along with his responsibilities as President/CEO of The 
Summit Federal Credit Union. With over 67,000 members in northern New 
York, The Summit FCU has fostered many savings programs targeted to 
today's youth by teaching the importance of saving through targeted 
programs ranging from kindergarten through college. Mr. Vadala has 
worked hard to promote financial education programs and has armed his 
members with protecting themselves against identity theft.
  Throughout his tenure as Chairman of the NAFCU Board of Directors, 
Mr. Vadala worked tirelessly to enhance the federal credit union 
charter by working with Congress for regulatory relief legislation for 
credit unions. As Chairman, he has also helped maintain NAFCU's status 
as a leading credit union trade association.
  Mr. Vadala has proven himself to be a true gentleman. I have seen him 
walking the halls of Congress many times carrying the torch for the 
credit union industry and he has testified before this Congress on 
multiple occasions on issues important to credit unions. Although there 
might have been occasion where we may have not agreed, this did not 
deter Mr. Vadala from continuing his loyal service to NAFCU.
  Many would think that the work he does for credit unions would be 
enough to fill a day, but that is not the case. He is also a dedicated 
family man, as well. Mr. Vadala and his family have played a huge role 
in fundraising for the United Way in upstate New York. He was also the 
former Chairperson of the March of Dimes Walk America. His work with 
these organizations has made a huge impact on thousands of lives in New 
York and beyond. Also, Mr. Speaker I could refer to Mr. Vadala without 
mentioning that he is one of the biggest Syracuse Orange fan that I 
have ever had the privilege to meet. And I would like to share one more 
``Go Orange'' with Mr. Vadala as he concludes his time on the NAFCU 
Board.
  I rise today to congratulate Mr. Mike Vadala on his fine work 
throughout his illustrious tenure as Chair of NAFCU. I have worked with 
him on issues that are important to the credit union community in the 
past and I am committed to continuing this relationship. With more than 
20 years experience in the credit union community, there is no doubt in 
my mind that our good friends at NAFCU will feel a great void once he 
steps down. Congratulations on your retirement from the NAFCU Board Mr. 
Vadala.

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