Date:    12/17/97  9:43 AM

Subject: H.R. 944 and H.R. 945

As  a Program Director for a major community foundation, I strongly urge the 
SEC to provide a negative evaluation of the proposed bills. It is vital that 
philanthropy, private, public or corporate, be guided by professionals who 
blend the needs of communities with corporate resources. This is a process that 
is objective; evaluating charities from the perspective of their 
professionalism, accountability and ability to meet stated needs in the 
community. This process is not partisan, it is not political which I fear will 
be the result if proxy ballets confirm corporate giving practices. 
     
As to public reporting, most major American corporations and their respective 
foundations publish an annual report that is readily available to share 
holders and the community in general.