WHEREAS, we believe transnational corporations operating in countries with repressive governments, ethnic conflict, weak rule of law, endemic corruption, or poor labor and environmental standards face serious risks to their reputation and share value if they are seen as responsible for, or complicit in, human rights violations;

Among the various nations where our country operates, the Peoples Republic of China has consistently been noted as violating basic human rights. Yet, our company has been called "China's most valuable lobbyist." It has also worked to have the U.S. government grant China Most Favored Nation status;

In a September 26, 2002 editorial, The Wall Street Journal noted how various Christians in China "are harassed, jailed and sometimes killed. Catholics loyal to the Pope remain persecuted, as are Protestants whose only crime is reading the Bible, without official authorization, in their own homes. Last December five members of an evangelical sect were sentenced to death in secret trials."

Our company has no comprehensive human rights policy that would enable it to effectively manage and avoid allegations of aiding and abetting such abuses;

Several of our company's major competitors have already adopted a comprehensive human rights policy based upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948);

We believe significant commercial advantages may accrue to our company by adopting a comprehensive human rights policy including: enhanced corporate reputation, improved employee recruitment and retention, improved community and stakeholder relations, and reduced risk of adverse publicity, consumer boycotts, divestment campaigns, and law suits;

Congressional resolutions have been introduced calling for human rights criteria for companies operating in China, Tibet and elsewhere;

RESOLVED: shareholders request the Board to develop and adopt a comprehensive human rights policy to include an explicit commitment to support and uphold the principles and values contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. We suggest that the adopt such a policy at the earliest possible time and that they report on the progress made in this regard, especially in places like China which have consistently been listed as in violation of basic human rights, no later than November 1 2003.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
We believe our human rights policy should include:
1. Workplace standards based upon the core conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO Conventions No.29, 87, 98, 100, 105, 111, 138, and 182).
2. Standards regarding the use of security personnel, both private and host country security forces, that is based upon and consistent with internationally accepted human rights norms, such as the U.N. Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials.
3. Human rights and social impact assessment conducted prior to any decision to invest in countries in civil conflict or which have poor human rights records, as prepared by the U.S. Department of State.
4. A plan for implementing these commitments and policies throughout our company's global operations that provides for a secure and independent complaint mechanism, provisions for consultation with local affected communities, provisions for social auditing by credible independent agencies, and provisions for annual public reporting.

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