; Whereas there are approximately 260 telephone cooperatives in the United States with total annual revenues of $3,900,000,000; Whereas in the financial services sector, cooperatives, including credit unions, farm credit banks, and other financing organizations that lend to cooperatives, provide numerous benefits to the member-owners of those cooperatives; Whereas nationally, approximately 4,800 credit unions serve 138,000,000 members; Whereas member-owners of cooperatives vote in board elections, and earned profits cycle back into cost-saving programs or return as dividend payments; Whereas purchasing and shared service cooperatives allow independent and franchise businesses to thrive; Whereas food cooperatives range in size from small, local institutions to multi-store regional giants that compete with chain stores with locations across the United States; Whereas food cooperatives support local producers in all 50 States and reduce food insecurity; Whereas in the housing sector, housing cooperatives and resident-owned communities in which members own the building or land— (1) are an alternative to conventional rental apartments, manufactured home parks, and condominiums; and (2) empower each resident with ownership and responsibility; Whereas housing cooperatives have roots dating to the late 1800s and are increasingly becoming a housing alternative for students at colleges throughout the United States; Whereas shared equity housing cooperatives are a critical and proven strategy for preserving long-term, affordable housing; Whereas cooperatives allow residents of manufactured home communities to collectively purchase the land on which they live, providing stability and the opportunity to self-govern; Whereas, as of 2023, 309 manufactured home communities are cooperatively owned; Whereas the growth of worker cooperatives in the United States is allowing more workers to own and have greater control over their businesses