CU Insiders and Advocates Reflect on LaTourette's Legacy
August 5, 2016 4:00 PM
The credit union community and CU supporters nationwide continue to mourn the loss of one of the movement's biggest advocates in the federal government, former U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, who passed away on Aug. 3 due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
LaTourette (R-Ohio) was a co-author, with U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-PA), of the pivotal Credit Union Membership Access Act signed by President Bill Clinton in 1998. Some in the industry have said that without the passing of the CUMAA, the credit union industry as we know it would be dramatically different.
LaTourette also sponsored other CU-friendly legislation, most notably attempts to pare back the cap on member business lending and other compromise amendments to HR 1151 that were politically necessary to drive the bill through the process.
NCUA Chairman Rick Metsger:
"Former Congressman Steve LaTourette was a thoughtful, dedicated, principled public servant who was skilled in the legislative process and believed in finding common ground and solutions. Credit unions will remember him as co-author, with Rep. Paul Kanjorski, of the Credit Union Membership Access Act and as a strong supporter of credit unions and their members during his 18-year tenure on Capitol Hill. We are saddened to hear of his passing, and our thoughts are with his family and friends."
John McKechnie, Partner at Washington-based Total Spectrum Affairs and former NCUA Director of Public and Congressional Affairs:
"When credit unions were up against the wall after the courts had ruled against us on field of membership, Congressman Steve LaTourette was the right man at the right time. LaTourette was the perfect House Republican to sponsor HR 1151, and he did his job with dedication, guts and not a small amount of courage during times when it wasn't clear credit unions would prevail. Along with Congressman Paul Kanjorski, he was our champion in the House, and was a genuine hero to the credit union movement. Anyone who believes in credit unions, consumers and their right to choose should know that they've lost a friend today."
Dan Berger, President/CEO of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions:
"We were saddened to learn of the passing of former Congressman Steve LaTourette. He was a valued friend of credit unions and a vocal champion in the fight to ensure consumers' ability to choose where they will obtain financial services. NAFCU remains grateful to him for his leadership and support on credit union issues, particularly as a chief sponsor of the 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act. Our thoughts are with his family."
Paul Mercer, President, Ohio Credit Union League:
"The Ohio Credit Union League is saddened to hear of the passing of former U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette. The credit union movement will remember Steve for his championing of credit union issues, particularly his leadership in shepherding the Credit Union Membership Access Act (HR 1151), which helped shape the movement we recognize today. His legacy will forever be enshrined in credit union lore. In Ohio, we will remember Steve for his charisma, love for Northeast Ohio, and courage as he battled this devastating disease. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jennifer, and his five children."
CUNA President & CEO Jim Nussle:
"Credit unions are forced to say goodbye to a true friend with the passing of former Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio). Steve and I served together in the House for 12 years and he was a good friend and a great voice for the people of Ohio.
"The credit union world CUNA most certainly included will never forget the bold role Steve took to preserve consumers' access to financial choice. By co-sponsoring the landmark 1998 Credit Union Membership Access Act (HR 1151), he acted to preserve the right of consumers to join credit unions, essentially overturning a Supreme Court decision on the matter. Steve's leadership was key to the success of that momentous fight, and it illustrates just one time of many when he fought the good fight for credit union priorities.
"The credit union community extends its deepest sympathy to the congressman's family and friends and to all those who mourn his passing."
Former NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar:
"Steve LaTourette was a true credit union champion and provided an absolutely essential Republican side of the aisle boost to HR 1151 in 1998 when the GOP controlled the House. The bill could not be seen as simply a Paul Kanjorski bill, although he had carried the credit union banner for years, because Paul was a Democrat and the Republicans controlled the House. Steve not only provided a solid and respected GOP co-sponsor for HR 1151, but he was also instrumental in getting House Speaker Newt Gingrich to make the bill a priority and help get it passed. I was on the NCUA Board at the time and Steve worked closely with me on a number of issues related to the bill, including a number of great strategy dinners and lunches on the Hill. I will miss him as a friend, but I will always treasure him as a great credit union champion."
Former CUNA President & CEO Dan Mica:
"Steve was a great guy. A good friend and he was a champion for the credit union movement. He served as the key republican along with Paul Kanjorski, the key democrat, for HR 1151. If it hadn't passed, credit unions wouldn't be around as we know them today.
"It's a sad loss. I hope credit unions all over the country will take a minute to say a little prayer and thanks that he was there for them."
Marc Schaefer, President and CEO of Truliant Federal Credit Union:
"Congressman LaTourette showed great courage and bipartisan spirit in 1998 when he, along with Congressman Kanjorski, stood up for millions of Americans in support of the right of consumers to choose a credit union that had their best interests at heart to meet their financial services needs. By introducing HR 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act, and winning the support of virtually the entire Congress and Senate, Steve LaTourette will forever be remembered as a hero to credit union members and their families."
House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.):
"All of us in the House will miss our friend and colleague, Steve LaTourette. Nobody could match his fierce sense of duty or his great sense of humor. I will keep his wife, Jennifer, and the entire LaTourette family in my prayers."
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH):
"Steve LaTourette was known for his bipartisanship and his ability to get things done for Ohio. He was a proud son of Cleveland, a tough prosecutor and an effective legislator who could find common ground with just about anyone. But I will miss him most of all as a good friend with a great sense of humor. Jane and I send our condolences to the entire LaTourette family, including his wife Jennifer and his six children: Ohio State Rep. Sarah LaTourette, along with Amy, Clare, Sam, Emerson and Henry. We are praying for them during this difficult time."
U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH):
"Ohio and the entire country lost a devoted public servant in Steve LaTourette one whom I learned from every day and was lucky to call a loyal friend and mentor. Steve provided insights that were honest, pure and for the betterment of our country. He will be remembered in Congress for his strong leadership, dedication to good public policy and willingness to work across the aisle to get things done. Most importantly, he will be remembered for the loving father and husband he was to his family. He was one of a kind. His laughter, wisdom, wit and strong resolve will be missed by all who encountered him."
U.S. Rep Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH):
My heart is heavy hearing of the passing of my colleague, former Rep. Steve LaTourette. My prayers are with his family & the Ohio community.
