BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama credit unions kicked off International Credit Union Day with a little help from Congressman Artur Davis (D-Ala.). In a speech that revolved around the theme of this year's ICU Day-Dream, Belong, Achieve – Davis spoke of the citizens of Alabama and the important role credit unions play in their lives during the Tuscaloosa Chapter of Credit Unions' annual ICU Day Dinner. "Changing people's lives is not written anywhere in your charter, but it is the single most important thing you do," said Davis. "What you do is not to provide charity, it is to provide a window of opportunity. When you talk to some of your members do you know that you are the first people to not say no to them in a long time?" He stated that it is the rightness of what credit unions do that makes them so well received in Washington and his speech was interrupted by applause when he said, "A lot of big banks don't serve all of us and more importantly aren't even designed to, you are. Your role is very important and that is why the government will not seek to tax you if we have anything to say about it." This is the second time Congressman Davis has publicly spoken out in favor of the credit union tax -exempt status. The league, along with the state's credit union chapters have also launched "America's Credit Unions" advertisements to be aired twice a day throughout the state, Monday through Friday, in prime drive-time on the Paul Finebaum Radio Network.