To:  M. José Damiani, President, World Bridge Federation
    Mr. Xiang Huai Cheng, President, Chinese Contract Bridge Association
From: USBF Board of Directors
Regarding: Venice Cup USA1

The Board of Directors of the United States Bridge Federation sends to both of you as well as to the members of both of your organizations our regrets regarding the behavior of the members of the USA1 Venice Cup team at the prize-giving ceremony in Shanghai. Despite our pride in the bridge achievement of our team, we know that this was neither the time nor place for a political statement. Please accept our sincere apology and be assured that we are acting to prevent this or similar behavior in the future.

Jan Martel, President
Bill Pollack, Vice President
Steve Beatty, Treasurer
Joan Gerard, Secretary
Robert Hamman
Rose Meltzer
Lou Ann O’Rourke