Santa Barbara AHEPA Chapter 243

AHEPA Raises Issue of
Improper Use of Star of Vergina to Congress
Maloney, Bilirakis Applauded for Their Letter to Visa CEO
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), a leading association for the nation's three million American citizens of Greek ancestry, and countless Philhellenes, applauds Hellenic Caucus Co-Chairs Carolyn Maloney (D-14-NY) and Gus M. Bilirakis (R-9-FL) for sending a letter to Mr. Joseph Saunders, CEO and chairman, Visa, Inc., today. The letter expressed a strong concern about a Visa credit card portraying the Star of Vergina.

"We felt this was a serious issue to bring to the attention of Congress," said Supreme President Ike Gulas. "It is another example of how Greece's cultural and historical identity is threatened by 'Macedonian' Diaspora groups who aspire to steal it and make it their own. I commend Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis for understanding the severity of the issue and for taking action."

The letter states:

"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."