Helms' Departure Not Considered By Credit Unions To Be<@SM>Much Of A Loss

- WASHINGTON, D.C. (08/23/01) The decision by Republican Sen. JesseHelms, a veritable institution in North Carolina, that he willretire at the end of his term in 2002 rather than run for a seventhterm isn't being being met by statements of regret by creditunions. Although the North Carolina Credit Union League said creditunions have had a good relationship with the conservative icon, thereviews on Helms' track record on credit union issues were mixed."I wouldn't say credit unions had a particularly close relationshipwith Sen. Helms," said CUNA's Gary Kohn. In fact, Helms was unableto vote on HR 1151 because he had to have surgery during the tally,but the North Carolinian made a point of speaking out against thecredit union bill, noted NAFCU's Murray Channow. "He took the floorjust before the vote to say that if he could be present for thevote, he would not vote in favor of this bill," Channow recalled."But I have not heard any credit unions complain about him. Heisn't usually vocal on financial issues."