[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10238]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO RICK CRAIG

 Mr. LEE. Mr. President, today I wish to honor Rick Craig, 
president of America First Federal Credit Union. Rick was appointed 
president of the credit union in 1997, and previously served as the 
executive vice president for two decades. He recently announced his 
retirement and I wish to honor his exemplary career.
  Rick is an alumnus of Weber State University, where he earned a 
bachelor of science degree in the field of mathematics with a minor in 
physics. He went on to earn a master's degree in the field of 
engineering from the University of Utah, and graduated in 1981 from the 
Western Credit Union National Association, CUNA, Management School. 
While in school, Rick earned the Charlie Clark Award and later was 
honored with the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award. He has also 
completed the Credit Union Executives Society's Directors Leadership 
Institute program at the London Business School. Over the years, Rick 
has been willing to share his knowledge with others, teaching courses 
at Weber State University and the Western CUNA Management School.
  Rick is a past board member of the Utah League of Credit Unions, and 
was vice chairman of the league's Executive Committee. From 1997 to 
2003, he also served on the Governor's Board of Credit Union Advisors 
in Utah. He served on the Filene Research Council from 1999 to 2005, 
and he has been a member of the CO-OP Board of Directors since 2005. He 
has been a director of the Credit Union Executives Society, CUES, for 9 
years, serving as chairman of the board. Rick was inducted into the 
Credit Union Society's Hall of Fame in 1996.
  Mr. Craig has received numerous honors for his work. Utah Business 
Magazine recognized him as one of the one hundred most influential 
people in the State of Utah in 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2011. He was 
recognized as one of the Ten Trail Blazing Companies in Utah in 2003 
and in 2004, the national CUES named him Executive of the Year. Under 
his leadership, America First Credit Union was recognized as one of the 
best places to work in Utah in 2007. Craig has written numerous 
articles, including articles for CUNA and CUES magazines, as well as 
computer world.
  After 12 years as president, Rick Craig is leaving America First 
Credit Union on a solid financial foundation. He has been successful at 
navigating the credit union through very turbulent financial times.
  Although Rick Craig has achieved great success in business, his 
greatest success has been being the father of 10 wonderful children. It 
is my wish that he and Karen enjoy this new chapter in their 
lives.

                          ____________________