The text of the letter:

December 12, 2008

Mr. Joseph W. Saunders
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Visa, Inc.P.O. Box 8999
San Francisco, CA 94128-8999

Dear Mr. Saunders,

    As co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues and the congressional representatives for large Greek-American constituencies, we are writing to express our strong concern about a Visa card portraying the Star of Vergina to be issued by UMB Bank on behalf of the “United Macedonian Diaspora.”

    We have long been concerned about efforts by the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and its diaspora to adopt symbols and images significant to Greece as part of a propaganda campaign.  We believe that the “United Macedonian Diaspora’s” efforts regarding this credit card may be yet another example.

    The Star of Vergina, unearthed in the 1970s during archaeological excavations in the Greek province of Macedonia, is copyrighted exclusively by Greece and protected by the Paris Convention for the Protection of State Emblems, and Names, Abbreviations and Emblems of International Intergovernmental Organizations under the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization).  All historical and archaeological evidence demonstrates that the ancient Macedonians were Greek.  Macedonia is a Greek name that has designated the northern area of Greece for 2,500 years. 

    Therefore, we would strongly urge Visa, Inc., to reconsider issuing this credit card with the Star of Vergina on it, and to work with Greek-Americans to ensure that this type of situation does not occur in the future.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,



    CAROLYN B. MALONEY                GUS M. BILIRAKIS
    Member of Congress                    Member of Congress


Background:

Established in 1996, the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues works to foster and improve relations between the United States and Greece.  The Caucus brings a renewed congressional focus on key diplomatic, military, and human rights issues in a critical part of the world.  The members of the Caucus introduce legislation, arrange briefings on current events, and disseminate information to interested parties.  The topics on which the Caucus focuses include U.S. aid to Greece and Cyprus, the conflict in Cyprus, U.S. relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the status of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and developments in the Aegean.  In the 110th Congress, the Caucus has 141 members.