July 24, 2007
Dear Chairman Cox: As a concerned investor and financial advisor specializing in socially responsible investing, I was alarmed to learn that the SEC is considering a proposal to restrict or eliminate one of the most important tools that shareholders like myself can use to make our concerns known to corporate management. I urge you to drop the suggested proposal curtailing investors' right to file advisory resolutions under Rule 14a-8. Advisory resolutions have proven to be a highly effective way to get management's attention on issues that matter to shareholders. Issues I believe the SEC finds important as well for that matter. They help to promote improved corporate governance, greater accountability, and more meaningful disclosure. Advisory resolutions often serve as the starting point for productive dialogue with companies. As an investor and an advisor, I know that the right of shareholders - even small shareholders - to propose these resolutions has helped the companies in question become more transparent and well run. Restricting or eliminating advisory shareholder resolutions would be a disastrous step. It would not only restrict the rights of shareholders, but it would increase the ability of corporations to continue business as usual without pressure to be more responsible, accountable, or transparent. Shareholders have rights and their ability to influence how the companies they own do business needs to be protected. Please let me know what action you intend to take on this issue. Yours sincerely, Krista Strohoffer Principled Investing LLC Krista Strohoffer