Chairman Christopher Cox
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549-1090
September 29, 2007
Dear Chairman Cox:
I'm writing to request that you protect the right of investors to file shareholder resolutions and urge you to take no action on the proposed initiatives that would curtail or eliminate this essential right.
Shareholder resolutions are an invaluable tool for investors who want to make their voices heard with regard to the direction of their companies. Shareholder resolutions have helped to promote transparency and improve corporate governance and performance. They have called attention to critical issues, including global warming, nuclear power, sweatshops, executive compensation, natural resource extraction, and other major societal and environmental problems that, when not addressed, often end up costing shareholders and their companies as a result of lawsuits, damaged reputations, consumer boycotts, public protests, and low staff morale.
The many corporate scandals of recent years highlight how important it is to have more, not less, corporate transparency and accountability. Shareholder resolutions have proven effective in holding companies accountable to their owners. I ask that the commission safeguard, not undermine, their use.
Please do the RIGHT THING!!!! Don't be swayed by big corporations that send millions of dollars through their lobbyists to protect the rights of big business. The "little people" of this country are sick and tired of being bullied by goverment agencies who choose to not hear our cry for fairness in the way large corporations control our government. Again, do the right thing. Elections are rignt around the corner and WE WILL MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD.
Sincerely,
Mamie Martin