WASHINGTON-Following a meeting with Tennessee and Kentucky credit union leaders, NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar hopped a flight to Washington-Dulles International Airport. The flight marked Dollar's first official travel by air since the terrorist attacks of September 11. His staff accompanied him. During the Open Forum in Tennessee, Dollar told the credit union leaders "we all need to be flying again and headed to the malls." "As America faces a period of an economic downturn, we all have a role in helping invigorate the economy as well as encouraging shopping in local retail stores, investing in the financial market, and returning to the skies," Dollar said. While emphasizing the critical role credit unions play in the American economy, he noted that credit unions are particularly well positioned to help stimulate the economy. "Credit unions have a strong heartbeat for member service and with this challenging time in America, credit unions can play a vital role in helping stimulate the nation's economy toward a rebound," said Dollar.