1 of 3
Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
USSFCU Board members gather Wednesday night to celebrate the opening of the credit union's new flagship branch in Alexandria.
2 of 3
Photo by Alexandria Living Magazine
USSFCU celebrates flagship branch with ribbon-cutting Wednesday night.
3 of 3
Photo by Alexandria Living Magazin
Alexandria Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Joe Haggerty addresses crowd at USSFCU ribbon-cutting Wednesday.
A few raindrops didn't stop the United States Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) from celebrating the opening Wednesday night of its new flagship branch headquarters across the street from Braddock Place Metro station in Alexandria.
Bank leadership gathered for photos after hearing from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Joe Haggerty and others.
"I know you've been looking forward to it for a long time, and it's finally here," Haggerty said. "It's been a long journey to this new building and to this day."
The new headquarters building is located at 1310 Braddock Place and is named the Bertie Bowman Building.
The building was previously home to the National Industries for the Blind (before that organization built a new building near Potomac Yard).
Senate Federal Credit Union started in the 1930s when nine U.S. Senators started the credit union with just $45 each. Today, the credit union has more than 41,000 members and more than $750 million in assets.
Bertie H. Bowman is a legendary Capitol Hill staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Senate Federal Credit Union's longest serving board member. He was profiled on CBS News earlier this year.
Bank officers and board members celebrated him for his exceptional dedication to the organization. He was recently bestowed the status of Emeritus Board Member.
Bowman is USSFCU's longest-serving Board Member, serving 46 years on the Board, including two terms as Chairman. His integrity, vision, and leadership have helped steer the Credit Union from just a few million in assets to over $1 billion, USSFCU noted in a press release.
“It is with full hearts and extended gratitude that USSFCU honors Mr. Bertie Bowman as the organization's first and only Board Member to receive Emeritus status for his extended service to the U.S. Senate and the United States Senate Federal Credit Union."
- Timothy Anderson | USSFCU President & CEO
“It is with full hearts and extended gratitude that USSFCU honors Mr. Bertie Bowman as the organization's first and only Board Member to receive Emeritus status for his extended service to the U.S. Senate and the United States Senate Federal Credit Union,” said USSFCU President and CEO, Timothy Anderson. “He embodies the credit union philosophy of people helping people. The Credit Union would not be the institution it is today without the guidance of Mr. Bowman."
Bowman's service to the Credit Union began in 1966 as a member of the Credit Committee. Joining the Board of Directors in 1975, Bowman's longevity of service to the institution far surpasses any other person within the organization to this date.
Bowman is also the longest-serving staffer in U.S. Senate history with over 65 years of service on Capitol Hill. USSFCU gained nationwide attention in 2019 when announcing their new headquarters building would be dedicated in honor of the legendary Capitol Hill icon. A building ceremony held in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Room at the Dirksen Senate Office Building served as a very fitting setting that paid homage to the decades of service Bowman provided to the Foreign Relations Committee.
Bowman, standing alongside his colleagues, Senators, and other USSFCU Board members, expressed his great thanks to everyone involved with the Credit Union's new headquarters and how honored he was to have the building named after him. He also mentioned his long and storied journey from a small-town in South Carolina to sweeping the steps of the Capitol and working his way up to becoming the Hearing Coordinator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“He truly deserves all the accolades he has received and this unique Emeritus status honors everything he has accomplished for USSFCU and its members."
- Jay Moore | USSFCU Board Chair
“I have not had the privilege of knowing Bertie for as many years as others, but it didn’t take me long to see his character, integrity, and dedication to service for others,” said Jay Moore, USSFCU Board Chair. “He truly deserves all the accolades he has received and this unique Emeritus status honors everything he has accomplished for USSFCU and its members."
While Bowman will be setting aside the traditional responsibilities of a USSFCU Board Member, this new Emeritus status guarantees he has a permanent position with USSFCU.
