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New Mexico Governor Richardson Speaks at America’s Credit Union Museum in Manchester, NH

Manchester, N.H. (June 9, 2005) The Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, delivered an address at America’s Credit Union Museum in Manchester, New Hampshire on Wednesday, June 8 as part of a breakfast event co-sponsored by the New Hampshire Credit Union League and the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources. The Governor, who was on a two-day visit to the Granite State, has been mentioned by some as a potential Democratic Party presidential contender in 2008.

Governor Richardson came to the Museum in order to recognize the contributions made by the French Canadian community to the culture of New Hampshire. He gave part of his presentation in French (which he minored in at Tufts University). The audience was made up of people active in the Franco American community in Manchester, New Hampshire, credit union leaders, and Trustees of America’s Credit Union Museum.

New Mexico Governor…NH

In introducing Governor Richardson, New Hampshire Credit Union League President Daniel F. Egan, Jr. spoke of the pivotal role the French Canadian community played in bringing the American credit union community to life. He said, “The people who came to Manchester from French Canada were determined, imaginative, and devoted to the idea of helping their family, friends, and neighbors. Our credit union movement was born out of their understanding of the value of community and cooperation.” He went on to cite the significance of the work of Quebec credit union pioneer Alphonse Desjardins and his assistance with the start of credit unions in the United States.

Mr. Egan pointed out that on the first floor of the Museum was the original office of St. Mary’s Credit Union, the first credit union in the United States which opened the door to a nationwide, cooperative credit union system that has benefited the lives of countless thousands of consumers. He went on to say, “In 1908 a handful of people were able to improve their lives because of this new and wonderful entity called a credit union. Now there are 370,000 members in New Hampshire and over 85 million members nationwide.”

Governor Richardson applauded the positive influence of credit unions and stated that he has always been supportive of credit unions and that he is a long time credit union member. He said the establishment of the museum was important to preserve the cultural influence of French Canadians in New Hampshire and the United States.

He indicated that he strongly supports the preservation of cultures throughout our country. He referenced his own Spanish background and also indicated his support as Governor for preserving the languages and culture of Native Americans. His delivery of part of his remarks in French elicited questions in French from the audience. He laughed as he said the questions were beyond his limited abilities of understanding, and the participants good naturedly rephrased the questions in English.

New Mexico Governor…NH

The breakfast meeting was covered by local TV news as well as a TV news crew from Albuquerque.

(Left to Right) Peter C. Hildreth, NH Bank Commissioner; Daniel F. Egan, Jr., President, New Hampshire Credit Union League; Gordon A. Simmons, President, Service Credit Union and Chairman of the New Hampshire Credit Union League; Governor Richardson; Peggy Powell, Executive Director of America's Credit Union Museum; Van McLeod, Commissioner, NH Department of Cultural Resources;

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America’s Credit Union Museum (ACUM) promotes the heritage of the credit union movement through the preservation of the industry’s history. ACUM is housed in the building of the first U.S. credit union in Manchester, NH. Additional information about ACUM can be found at www.acumuseum.com.

Credit unions are not-for-profit financial cooperatives. They offer a variety of consumer financial services to 370,000 New Hampshire residents and over 85 million Americans. The New Hampshire Credit Union League represents the 28 consumer-owned credit unions in the state. For more information, please visit www.nhcul.org.

Press/Analyst Contact
Peggy Powell
Executive Director
America's Credit Union Museum
603.629.1553
ppowell@acumuseum.org

For more information, call the museum at 603-629-1553 or visit its web site at www.acumuseum.org.

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