Educational Employees CU recently hosted a check presentation in support of newly elected California Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced), while during the same week Congressman Mark Amodei (R-NV) met with local credit union leaders for a lively legislative discussion about “the credit union difference.”
CA Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria (D-Merced)
Soria was elected to the California State Assembly in November 2022 and is a member of the California Assembly Banking and Finance Committee. She represents 166,140 credit union members in the 27th Assembly District throughout portions of Merced, Fresno, and Madera counties.
Before her election, Soria served as an educator, community advocate, and councilmember for the City of Fresno. She has also been a longtime credit union member since buying her first car and even partnered with Self Help FCU in the opening of its South Valley Bakersfield branch during her time serving as a board member with Access Plus Capital in 2017 — a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).
During the visit, local credit union leaders shared member-impact stories, illustrating the countless ways credit unions step up and help their members and the community in a time of need.
“We look forward to partnering with her on future financial literacy events, backpack drives, and even touring Merced Schools Federal Credit Union’s student-run branch,” said Angelica Pappalardo, political advocacy manager for the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. “Thank you to Educational Employees Credit Union for hosting this great event, and to Merced Schools Federal Credit Union, Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union, Valley First Credit Union, and Travis Credit Union for joining us.”
Rep. Mark Amodei (R-NV)
Since joining Congress in 2011, Amodei has built a strong relationship with the credit union community. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Subcommittee on Financial Services.
During the visit, Amodei shared a great compliment. Throughout the years, credit unions’ requests have been steeped in facts, he said. Credit unions have a “direct and factual” approach.
Other topics discussed were inflation, regulatory reform in response to the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank, and security concerns in the credit card space. Overall, Amodei was thankful to credit unions for their direct approach to political advocacy.
“Thank you to Great Basin Federal Credit Union and Greater Nevada Credit Union for attending this event and being a leading force in advocacy,” Pappalardo said.
PAC and Grassroots Calendar
To view the Leagues’ 2023 political events calendar, click here.
If you are interested in hosting or attending any upcoming events, please email Angelica Pappalardo.
