MessageFrom: Palm, Kathleen [kpalm@ci.hartford.ct.us]
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2003 4:34 PM
To: Rule-comments@sec.gov
Subject: File No. 57-19-03

To Whom It May Concern: The City of Hartford Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund, 
a $1-billion defined benefit plan, is fully supportive of the proposed rule that 
would offer shareholders direct access to the ballot with respect to nomination of 
independent directors and the right to nominate independent directors. It is 
shareholders, not incumbent directors, who own publicly traded companies and whose 
rights and financial health are at stake.  We urge passage of the rule that would 
make shareholders' rights a reality, not a concept. Thank you for your favorable 
consideration. 

Kathleen Palm, City Treasurer of Hartford (Conn.) 
and Secretary of the City of Hartford Pension Commission