Proxy Statement

The SEC requires that shareholders of a company whose securities are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 receive a proxy statement prior to a shareholder meeting, whether an annual or special meeting. The information contained in the statement must be filed with the SEC before soliciting a shareholder vote on the election of directors and the approval of other corporate action. Solicitations, whether by management or shareholders, must disclose all important facts about the issues on which shareholders are asked to vote.

To see the information required in the proxy statement, read the SECs proxy rules and view a PDF version of Schedule 14A . For more information about shareholder proposals, read the rule adopted by the SEC on May 21, 1998.