WASHINGTON-Retired Senator Strom Thurmond (R-S.C.), the longest serving senator, died the evening of June 26, just six months after his retirement, at 100 years old. In his lifetime, Thurmond served more than 45 years in the Senate, after an unsuccessful bid as a third party president in 1948. He also served one term as governor of South Carolina and, before that, stormed the beaches at Normandy during World War II as a paratrooper. He was known for his segregationist views in the early part of his career, but as the pendulum swung in favor of civil rights, so did Thurmond's policies. He was the first senator to hire a black staffer. CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica commented, "Throughout his nearly five decades of service in the U.S. Senate, Strom Thurmond was a loyal supporter of credit unions, consistently voting with us on issues of critical importance. The Credit Union Membership Access Act is but one example of many. His was a memorable and most remarkable career." "NAFCU extends its condolences to the Thurmond family at this time of loss," NAFCU President and CEO Fred Becker added.