Date:    12/19/97 4:08 PM
     
     
Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission 
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
     
I OPPOSE THE PROPOSED NEW RULES REGARDING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
     
The Securities & Exchange Commission proposed new rules
for stockholders meetings would make it harder for stockholders to 
participate and bring their concerns to the floor of these meetings.
     
The fact that the SEC is considering these changes is evidence
that the companies are feeling the pressure of these stockholders objections 
to their business practices; it illuminates the importance of protecting 
present stockholder rights.
     
Under the current rules, shareholder resolutions have been more and more 
effective in encouraging companies to change their treatment of natural 
treasures like Headwaters Forest. Shareholder resolutions have been important 
in a host of efforts, including the campaign to preserve the Arctic Wildlife 
Refuge, the struggle to preserve forests near Clayoquot
Sound, and the campaign to reduce chlorine use and its impact on the human 
and natural environment.
     
If adopted, these rules would put up major roadblocks for these kinds of 
campaigns and would effectively make it impossible to wage a long-term 
shareholder campaign like the South Africa divestment effort which helped 
pressure the country to eliminate destructive apartheid rule.
     
Thank you for your consideration of my opinion.
     
Laurie Schecter
56 Lincoln Rd, Sudbury, MA 01776