It was another busy year for Pro Vita Advisors in challenging corporations to respect and observe moral values. In addition to our Ford Motor (NYSE: F) shareholder proposal (see enclosed newsrelease), Pro Vita Advisors attempted shareholder proposals at American Express (NYSE: AXP), JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC). The year was unusual in that most of the shareholder proposals did not appear on the related corporate ballot for shareholder voting. At American Express, our proposal was voluntarily withdrawn. JP Morgan Chase was able to exclude our proposal on a technicality, and Pfizer fought successfully to keep us off their ballot by using the “ordinary business” argument with the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC). However, the Wells Fargo resolution made the shareholder proxy for voting.

Our Wells Fargo shareholder proposal was a direct challenge to the company’s support of the homosexual agenda. The proposal asked Wells Fargo, one of the nation’s largest banking institutions, “to formulate an equal employment policy …that does not make reference to any matters related to sexual interests, activities or orientation.” The proposal reads in part:

- Whereas, it would be inappropriate and possibly illegal to ask a job applicant or employee about their sexual interests, inclinations and activities.
- Whereas, it is similarly inappropriate and legally problematic for employees to discuss person sexual matters while on the job.
- Whereas, unlike the issues of race, age, gender and certain physical disabilities, it would be impossible to discern a person’s sexual orientation from their appearance.

- Whereas, unless an employee chooses to talk about their sexual interests or activities while working, the issue of sexual orientation is, essentially, moot.
- Whereas, domestic partner benefit policies pay employee benefits based on the employee engaging in unmarried, homosexual relations. These relations have been condemned by the major traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam for a thousand years or more.
- Whereas, the Armed Forces of the United States is one of the largest and most diverse organizations in the world. They protect the security of us all while adhering to a “don’t ask, don’t tell policy” regarding sexual interests.
- Whereas, marriage between heterosexuals has been protected and encouraged by a wide range of societies, cultures and faiths for ages.

Therefore: While the legal institution of marriage between a man and a woman should be protected, the sexual interests of, inclinations and activities of all employees should be a private matter, not a corporate concern.

Our Pfizer shareholder proposal challenging the company’s human embryonic stem cell (hESC) research may be the first of its kind. Although Pfizer successfully appealed to the SEC to keep our proposal off their shareholder voting proxy, we were pleased with our first attempt to defend life against research involving cells or cell lines resulting from the destruction of human embryos. The proposal follows.

- Whereas, according to the company website, “At Pfizer research is conducted in accordance with longstanding ethical and clinical guidelines such as the Nuremberg Code (1947)….
- Whereas, the first point of the Nuremberg Code states: The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential.
- Whereas, the destruction of a human embryo is required for human embryo stem cell research.
- Whereas, no human embryo has ever given voluntary consent for research purposes.
- Whereas, each embryo has DNA unique unto itself, different from its father or mother.
- Whereas, Pfizer has announced its interest in pursuing human embryonic stem cell research.
- Whereas, much like genetically engineered foods, human embryo stem cell research has generated significant controversy in this
country and elsewhere. Lead stories in major magazines and newspapers and heated discussions concerning federal or state
funding has accompanied the subject. Much of the controversy surrounds the question as to when human life begins versus
potential healing benefits that might be derived from further research.
- Whereas, significant policy issues of the most fundamental kind are raised by human embryo stem cell research.
- Whereas, the development of any product based on this research may result in the boycott of this and other company products.

Resolved, it is requested the Board of Directors form a committee to more fully explore the ethical and business implications of further research involving cells or cell lines that are the result of the destruction of human embryos.

Pro Vita Advisors understands not every proposal will make the ballot, nonetheless, we are committed to shareholder involvement and believe every attempt to draw attention to the sanctity of human life is valuable..