May 21, 2007
Governor Baldacci shakes hands with Steve Clark, President/CEO of Bangor FCU, located in the Governor's home town.
Three long-time friends of Maine's credit unions, Governor John Baldacci, Congressman Mike Michaud and Congressman Tom Allen, all paid tribute to the services and contributions that credit unions provide to the people of Maine. The three political leaders all spoke to the nearly 700 credit union representatives from across Maine at the Maine CU League's 69th Annual Meeting & Convention in Augusta on May 18 and 19th.
Governor Baldacci noted the critical role that Maine's credit unions play in the lives of hundreds of thousands Maine people. "People are attached to credit unions because credit unions are attached to people," the Governor explained. Governor Baldacci also emphasized, "Maine's credit unions have a strong friend in the Governor's office, and I will do whatever I can to assist credit unions in serving their members."
Congressman Mike Michaud, the nation's only sitting member of Congress who has served as a credit union board member, said credit unions are strong advocates for consumers and an important "voice in Washington and Augusta that legislators and members of Congress listen to because of the values that credit unions stand for." Congressman Michaud added, "From having fewer fees to providing loans to people who had nowhere else to turn, there is a difference between credit unions and banks, and that difference benefits Maine consumers."
Congressman Tom Allen told attendees, "I look at credit unions as an example of all that is good and I, personally, try to draw on that example in the decisions I make. Credit unions look out for the 'little guy,' and that is something I appreciate and the 600,000 Maine credit union members appreciate, too." The Congressman also applauded the "tremendous impact that Maine credit unions have had on helping to end hunger in Maine. Raising more than $2.3 million to help end hunger in our state since 1990, which credit unions have done, is an accomplishment to be proud of and one that I find remarkable and worthy of our thanks."
All three political leaders have strong records of support of credit unions. In 2007, both Congressman Michaud and Allen have again signed on as early co-sponsors of CURIA (Credit Union Regulatory Improvement Act), and Governor Baldacci made a rare appearance on the floor of the Maine House to personally acknowledge the work of credit unions during Maine Credit Union Day at the State House this past March.
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