Message from the President

This Victory was on the Mark!

In past articles I have discussed how the matter of effective political advocacy has risen to become one of paramount importance within credit unions. Given the nature of our not-for-profit financial cooperatives, and the fact that many in the powerful banking industry are opposed to our very existence, there is simply no escaping our responsibility for making sure that those in positions of power and influence understand our commitment to helping American consumers have better lives.

That's why we at GNCU were so pleased on September 13 with the results of the special election in the second Congressional district of Nevada. We were able to celebrate the news that Carson City's own Mark Amodei had won the seat in the House of Representatives that was vacated when Dean Heller became a

member of the U.S. Senate.

Representative Amodei's victory was a very important one for credit union members across the nation. It sends someone to Congress who has long demonstrated his support of credit unions and their members not only with his words but, more importantly, with his actions during a distinguished career as a member of both the Nevada Assembly and Senate. And even better yet, Mark's support was borne from the most effective type of credit union education…that of being a credit union member!

Like many of you, Mark truly understands the value of credit union membership as a result of his long-time membership in Greater Nevada. He has been a GNCU member since he was a teenager and has often publicly recounted the major role that it has played in his life. That understanding became the foundation for Mr. Amodei to become one of the strongest advocates Nevada's credit unions have ever had in our state legislature. In fact, he was probably our staunchest supporter in state government since the honorable Richard Bryan was governor in

the 1980s.

That was why GNCU took the unusual position of actively supporting Mr. Amodei's candidacy during the special election. It is also why we are so happy, and proud, that he was successful in his efforts. We are thankful for all that Congressman Amodei has done for Nevada's credit union members in the past and look forward to working with him in the months and years ahead in his new role in Washington D.C. Congratulations Mark!

Warmest regards and God Bless,

Wally Murray

President/CEO