ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – NASCUS presented Jim Blaine, president/CEO of State Employees CU, Raleigh, N.C. with its prestigious Pierre Jay award which was created by NASCUS in 1997 to honor those whose contributions benefit NASCUS and the state credit union system in a profound way. The award is named after Pierre Jay, the first banking commissioner of Massachusetts (1906-1909) who, together with Edward Filene helped establish the credit union movement. In presenting the award to Blaine (right), NASCUS Chairman Roger W. Little said: "The person I will name has done much to help preserve the state credit union system. This individual has strong beliefs, and backs them up with actions. This person has actively built partnerships with the credit union community over the years. This year's designee has been a Tenth Amendment advocate, zealously defending the rights of the state legislature to make state-chartered credit unions different. At the same time, this person has actively worked to build coalitions to help the dual chartering system because of an undying belief in dual chartering and credit unions."