Congressional Salute Kicks Off GOPConvention

NEW YORK - (08/30/04) -- NAFCU representatives cruised theHudson River Sunday a during a tribute they helped sponsor for Rep.Spencer Bachus, chairman the House Financial Services Subcommitteeon Financial Institutions, before changing their clothes for Sundaynight salute to Senate Banking Chairman Richard Shelby, as theRepublican National Convention kicked off. Down the block, CUNArepresentatives were feting Rep. Bob Ney of Ohio, a major creditunion supporter. NAFCU was also co-sponsor of a Sunday nighttribute to delegates from southern states featuring southern rockband Lynyrd Skynyrd. "We've got a good opportunity to raise theprofile of credit unions and NAFCU this week during theconvention," NAFCU lobbyist Brad Thaler, told The Credit UnionJournal. "We're looking forward to a big week." CUNA was scheduledto introduce its child identification initiative toconvention-goers Monday afternoon at Montauk FCU, a stone's throwfrom the convention. Later this week, officials from both tradegroups, as well as credit union executives from around the country,were expected to participate in events honoring Republicanlawmakers.