Retired CUNA Mutual Group executive Larry Blanchard receivedwhat's considered one of the nation's highest honors from theconsumer movement this week.

Blanchard, credited with being one of the credit unionindustry's most effective leaders of the past two decades, receivedthe 2012 Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award from the ConsumerFederation of America at the organization's 42^nd annualawards dinner Wednesday in Washington.

Blanchard, who began his credit union career at age 17, washailed for his leadership of the Credit Union Campaign for ConsumerChoice that led to the passage of H.R. 1151, the Credit Unions Membership Access Act signed intolaw by President Bill Clinton in August 1998.

Prior to that, he played a key role in the 1991 effort tomaintain credit union independence known as Operation Grassroots,the CFA and CUNA Mutual said.

Blanchard retired in 2008 as senior vice president of corporateand legislative affairs for CUNA Mutual and now serves the companyas a senior consultant.

Pete Crear, retired CEO of the World Council of Credit Unions,presented the award and credited Blanchard with “strengtheningcredit unions and the credit union movement for more than a halfcentury with his committed, energetic and skillful work.”

Blanchard said, “While the Esther Peterson Award honorsconsumer service, it pays tribute to the realization that it isteamwork that brings about the results. Teamwork has made everyachievement possible on behalf of consumers through the good timesand difficult times. And without my teammates, I would not bestanding here tonight.”

Peterson was a lifelong consumer advocate who served in theKennedy, Johnson and Carter administrations.

Previous awards presented to Blanchard include the NationalCredit Union Foundation Herb Wegner Memorial Award. He also is amember of the CUES Hall of Fame, Credit Union House Hall of Leadersand the National Cooperative Business Association Hall of Fame.

In 2003 he was named by NAFCU as one of the 10 most influentialpeople in shaping the credit union movement's future in the past 35years.

Also Wednesday night, the CFA awarded the Philip Hart PublicService Award to U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and BrooksleyBorn, former chairperson of the Commodity Futures TradingCommission and the Betty Furness Consumer Media Service Awardwinner to Marketplace, a business radio program.