SEATAC, Wash.–The Northwest Credit Union Association presented the 2016 Community Impact Award to three Northwest legislators for what it said was their unwavering support of credit unions and their 5.2-million members in Oregon and Washington.
The awards were presented to the lawmakers with armies of grassroots advocates looking on—during annual Credit Union Day at the Capitol events in Olympia, Wash. and Salem, Ore.
“This honor is given to elected officials who have demonstrated their dedication to the people of the Northwest, through their support of credit unions. It is clear that these legislators have been and continue to be, true credit union champions,” said Troy Stang, President and CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association.
Sen. Don Benton, who has represented Washington’s 17th District since 1997, was praised for decades of support of credit union-backed legislation.
“You tell me another organization in the community that provides so many services and so many wonderful things outside of the financial services, and you do it all for members – not for profit, not taking any profit from the community,” said Benton. “I don’t know of any other organization that does that. It’s a unique system and I’m so proud to have helped it along.”
Benton’s district includes Clark County in Southwest Washington.
Also receiving a 2016 Community Impact Award was Oregon State Representative Tobias Read (D-27), who has served in the Oregon legislature since 2006. Rep. Read’s district includes parts of Beaverton, Southwest Portland, Multnomah and Washington Counties. He is currently a candidate for Oregon State Treasurer.
“He has made a career of serving and giving back to the community--not only in district 27 in the Beaverton and Aloha areas-- but across the state of Oregon,” said Scott Burgess, President and CEO of Portland-based Rivermark Community Credit Union. Burgess joined Stang onstage in presenting the honor to Read.
“Your commitment to the communities you serve is really notable and it is a really nice contrast with a lot of the other things we confront in the legislature and in our lives,” said Read. “I really feel comfortable and well connected with credit unions. You're a great part of the financial world in Oregon and I'm really looking forward to working with all of you more.”
Within the last year, the Oregon Legislature approved a measure allowing the state’s credit unions to begin offering prize-linked savings accounts. The bill’s sponsor, State Representative John Davis (R-26), who has served in the state legislature since 2013, received a Community Impact Award for his service as well.
“We can honestly say that because of his efforts, lives will change for the better,” said Stang.
“The collaborative spirit and action the credit unions have taken at the capital is very unique in the business community. Especially across the Republican and Democratic lines, credit unions are respected and listened to, and are seen as working together on issues of importance,” said Rep. Davis. “So I want to thank you for having that sort of attitude and holding that sort of reputation in the capitol.”
Davis is a fourth-generation Oregonian. His district includes Wilsonville, Oregon.
Above right, top, Oregon State Representative Tobias Read (D-27) (center) , accepts the 2016 Community Impact Award from Troy Stang, President & CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association (left) and Scott Burgess, President and CEO of Rivermark Community Credit Union (right).
Above right, center, Roger Michaelis, President/CEO of Vancouver, WA-based iQ Credit Union (left) presents the 2016 Community Impact Award to Washington State Senator Don Benton (R-17)
Below, Oregon State Representative John Davis (R-26) addresses Oregon credit union advocates after receiving the 2016 Community Impact Award.