[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18914-18915]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       TRIBUTE TO CREDIT UNION AND COMMUNITY LEADER RALPH GOODWIN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2007

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
an outstanding American and Oregonian, Mr. Ralph Goodwin, and to draw 
my colleagues' attention to the tremendous contributions Ralph has made 
to his industry and community.
  Madam Speaker, this weekend I will have the honor of attending in 
picturesque John Day, Oregon the community celebration to commemorate 
Ralph Goodwin's retirement and the good he has done for his state and 
community.
  On July 13, 2007, after 28 years of highly successful credit union 
leadership, Ralph will formally relinquish the reigns as CEO and 
president of the Old West Federal Credit Union. When Ralph assumed the 
top post in 1979 with what was then called the Grant County Federal 
Credit Union, membership numbered 800 and assets were $2.5 million. As 
Ralph enters retirement, he leaves the Old West Federal Credit Union in 
excellent shape with over 7,500 members in four branch offices serving 
eight counties in eastern Oregon and assets of over $80 million. The 
positive growth under Ralph's leadership is remarkable, and a testament 
to how Ralph has always conducted business.
  A true believer and advocate in the credit union movement, Ralph 
Goodwin's contribution to the communities of eastern Oregon and credit 
union philosophy is second to none. Through the World Council of Credit 
Unions, Ralph has participated in and been an indispensable part of 
efforts to bring credit unions and credit union philosophy to 
underdeveloped countries in the world, traveling to the Philippines and 
Uzbekistan to further this goal. Ralph's many years of civic leadership 
and steadfast commitment to the rural communities he has served has 
made a rewarding impact on many credit union members and employees that 
have benefited from his financial guidance and leadership example.
  Throughout the credit union movement in Oregon and nationally, Ralph 
Goodwin is recognized as a leader and visionary whose passion and 
commitment to the credit union motto of people helping people is a core 
attitude of how credit union business is conducted. The high regard 
Ralph's colleagues have for him is exemplified by the service he has 
delivered and acknowledgment he has received on the state and national 
level, including being chosen as the Advocate of the Year by the Credit 
Union Association of Oregon as well as receiving the association's 
Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor bestowed upon an 
individual. Ralph is also well known and respected by many members on 
both sides of the political aisle in the Oregon Legislature and United 
States Congress as they can always rely on solid and straightforward 
information from him regarding credit union policy.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to Ralph Goodwin, 
and delivering our

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thanks for the tremendous good he has fostered in the credit union 
movement and throughout Oregon. Ralph can now finally take a break with 
his lovely wife, Toni, and their seven children and 15 grandchildren.
  Thank you for all that you've done, Ralph. I'm very proud to count 
you and Toni as my good friends, and wish you both the best over many 
happy years to come.

                          ____________________