From: Lawrence Balthasar
Sent: August 10, 2006
To: rule-comments@sec.gov
Subject: File No. S7-03-04


SEC Chairman Christopher Cox

Dear SEC Chairman Cox,

Mutual funds are an increasingly important savings vehicle for tens of millions of working Americans like me. We are the owners of these funds and we bear the risks if they are dominated by self-interested insiders. We look to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to protect us. I am writing to express my strong support for the proposed rule requiring that mutual fund boards have an independent chairperson and at least 75 percent independent directors.

Seems like a sensible proposal, doesn't it?

Sincerely,

Lawrence Balthasar