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Photo Gallery: The fight for H.R. 1151
CU movement declared victory after 17 months of intense grassroots lobbying.
On August 7, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed into law the Credit Union Membership Access Act (H.R. 1151).
This followed a massive, 17-month advocacy campaign: The Credit Union Campaign for Consumer Choice.
A coalition of credit union and cooperative organizations launched the campaign after a Supreme Court decision severely limited credit unions’ fields of membership.
Lobbying efforts involved thousands of credit union members signing petitions and rallying in Washington, D.C., and other cities, urging Congress to produce legislation that would allow for the expansion of credit unions’ fields of membership.
Following are scenes from a rally supporting H.R. 1151 and the signing of the bill.
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More than 6,000 credit union supporters converged on Washington in July 1998 to urge senators to vote for H.R. 1151.
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Former Sen. Lauch Faircloth, R-N.C., addresses credit union supporters.
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“We’re fighting for your future,” said former Senate Banking Committee Chairman Alphonse D’Amato, D-N.Y.
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Organizers had less than a week to organize the rally before the Senate voted on H.R. 1151.
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Former CUNA CEO Dan Mica (far left) addresses the crowd.
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Credit union lobbyist Larry Blanchard shakes hands with President Bill Clinton before the signing of H.R. 1151.
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President Clinton signs H.R. 1151, the CU Membership Access Act.
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President Clinton gathers with credit union supporters.
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President Clinton hands out pens used to sign the landmark legislation.
The Dividend Difference
Patronage dividends—distributions a cooperative pays members based on a proportion of its profits—drive engagement in a way only cooperatives can.
Growth Through Inclusion
Serving underbanked populations can both boost the bottom line and set up credit unions for long-term success.
Giving Back Is the Only Way
Community service is a natural extension of credit union philosophy.