News Briefs

Yarmouth Man Heading to Iraq
Army Pvt. Cory J. Geesaman has deployed to Iraq to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The servicemember is regularly assigned to the 84th Engineer Combat Battalion at Schofield Barracks, Wahiawa, Hawaii.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving U.S. and coalition forces efforts to disarm and end the current Iraqi regime. Active duty, reserve, and national guard members from
all branches of the U.S. armed forces are participating in the operation. Geesaman is a signal support systems specialist with one year of military service.

Senator Collins Questions Homeland Security Secretary Ridge About Immigration Sweeps In Portland
Senator Collins Secures Commitment to Review the Matter
WASHINGTON, DC- Senator Susan Collins today questioned Tom Ridge, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, about a recent immigration sweep conducted by the INS in Portland. The INS is part of the Department of Homeland security. Secretary Ridge appeared before the Governmental Affairs Committee, which Senator Collins chairs, to discuss the Department's fiscal year 2005 budget.

"Obviously we want the Department to vigorously enforce our immigration laws," said Senator Collins to Secretary Ridge during the hearing. "There just seems to me that there has to be a better way for the Department to pursue its very responsibilities and to make sure that people are not here illegally, but to work more with the community involved to make sure that these sweeps are conducted in a way that is respectful of people and do not target small businesses in a way that ends up hurting their business."
Secretary Ridge was not familiar with the details of the recent immigration sweep in Portland, but pledged to look into the matter and to report back to Senator Collins.

"I would say hopefully if men and women and children are here legally, that they have nothing to fear and shouldn't fear. We need to maintain ourselves as that open, welcoming country that we've been for 200 years," said Secretary Ridge.

He also stated, "We don't want to discourage the border patrol from doing their job. We also want to encourage them to do it in a way that is consistent with the standards of service of the border control, and that's respecting the rights of individuals, be they legal or illegal, and the rights of the community."
Secretary Ridge concluded his remarks to Senator Collins by promising to work with her should the Department find a need for a remedy or a change in approach, following investigation into the immigration sweeps in Portland.

Maine's Credit Unions Grew in 2003
Shares, Loan Growth Help Lead Maine CUs To Solid 2003
(Westbrook, ME) - Led by strong growth in shares (savings) and loans, Maine's credit unions experienced another year of consistent growth in 2003. According to year-end statistics for 2003 reported to the Maine Credit Union League by its 77-affiliated credit unions, Maine's credit unions grew in every category, including assets, loans, shares and membership.
According to the statistics, assets at Maine's credit unions increased 8.28% to over $3.62 billion, loans grew 9.64%, shares rose 7.78% and membership grew slightly to 598,029 members. The growth in 2003 continues to emphasize the strength and popularity of credit unions in the State. Nationally, Maine has been ranked as the fifth strongest credit union state for the past three years.