Getting involved in politics.(community bankers)

Politics has taken on a new meaning for me. In years past, I wasn't known as a political person. I'd play golf with anyone--Democrat, Republican, or Independent.

Things are different now. It's not just because I'm chairman of America's Community Bankers. It's also because I knew so many of those who died trying to save others on the day we call 9/11. Staten Island was their home, just as it is home to me and my family.

I knew them, and I knew their families. Now I know them as heroes. Their ultimate sacrifice during the attack on America's economic and military might, and on our freedom, helps drive my commitment to participate more fully in the political process.

I have to care even more, because they did. And I am asking you to care and to participate more fully as well. I am asking that all of us take the responsibility to be what the ancient Greeks called "polites." It means "citizen," and it is defined as a person who has a share in ruling and in being ruled.

As community bankers, we all have a responsibility to our institutions, customers, and communities to be involved in the political process--to do more than just vote. There are many ways in which we can participate, and we should take advantage of all of them.

One way we have of participating is through COMPAC, ACB's political action committee. It gives us an opportunity to increase our industry's political influence through direct contributions to candidates. Through COMPAC, we can support those candidates who understand our issues and who appreciate the role of community banking throughout the economy.

This year, COMPAC'S goal is to raise $300,000. To do that, we need more people contributing, and we want to increase the commitment from those who are already participating.