Indiana credit unions meet with Congressman Chocola
September 12, 2005

Credit unions with a presence in Rep. Chocola’s 2nd Congressional District were invited by the Indiana Credit Union League to attend the meeting. Shown here are several of the individuals who were there. From left: Laurie Ferrell, Indiana University EFCU; Jack Sheets, Elkhart County Farm Bureau CU; League Board Secretary Jeanette Moeller, Teachers CU (TCU); League VP of Governmental Affairs Chris Beaumont; League Director Loren Roth and Andy Burggraf, both of Communitywide FCU; Congressman Chocola; John Myers, TCU; Rick Rice, TCU; Dallas Bergl, Bayer FCU; League President John McKenzie; Tom Smith, Bayer FCU; Don Weaver, Indiana University EFCU; and Jeff Maudlin, Indiana University EFCU.

South Bend, Ind.— Congressman Chris Chocola (R-2) met with representatives of Indiana credit unions that have a presence in the 2nd Congressional District, and representatives of the League, on Aug. 29. The Indiana Credit Union League arranged the meeting, which was held in the board room at Teachers Credit Union (TCU) in South Bend. League President John McKenzie opened things up with a review of the discussion with Congressman Chocola in his Washington, D.C., office during the League’s July 27 “Hike the Hill” trip. Both meetings focused on the federal tax exemption and the CURIA Bill (H.R. 2317). McKenzie reminded the congressman that Indiana’s 2.2 million credit union members benefit financially by $160 million each year because they have access to credit unions compared to if their only choice were for-profit banks, which is a 5-to-1 return on the federal tax exemption.

“Thanks for the relationship we’ve been able to build over the last several years,” said Rep. Chocola as he began his remarks. He has been known as a friend of credit unions since he was elected to Congress in 2002. The congressman, who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, reinforced his support for credit unions’ tax exemption as the group discussed the federal budget, saying, “Solving a problem with a new tax is not a solution in my mind.” He told the group that credit unions do a good job of keeping their issues in front of Congress, especially those related to the federal tax exemption.

On the subject of CURIA, Rep. Chocola said he would vote in favor if it came to a floor vote, and he stressed the importance to credit unions of continuing to seek committee action and the support of house leadership. Attendees explained to the congressman how passage of CURIA would help them better serve member business concerns in the 2nd District.

While credit union-related topics dominated the meeting, Rep. Chocola talked about other issues including Social Security reform. He also took time to ask attendees for feedback about the local economy. Attendees talked about trends in member savings, borrowing and delinquencies, as well as low unemployment for the area.

“The good relationship we have with Congressman Chocola is due to a number of factors, including the political involvement of credit union representatives in his district, especially Jeanette Moeller and Rick Rice of TCU, Dallas Bergl of Bayer FCU, and Jack Sheets of Elkhart County Farm Bureau CU,” said McKenzie. 

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