FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  2000-119

    Commission Extends to September 12, 2000 the Deadline for
  Submission of Written Materials for September 20, 2000 Public
         Hearing on Auditor Independence Rule Proposals

     Washington, DC, August 30, 2000 - The Securities and
Exchange Commission late yesterday extended to September 12, 2000
the deadline by which the Commission must receive copies of oral
statements or summaries of testimony by those requesting to
testify at the September 20, 2000 public hearing on auditor
independence.  The date by which the Commission must receive
materials for the September 13 hearing remains September 5, 2000.

     Text of oral statements or summaries of testimony should be
mailed to Jonathan G. Katz, Secretary, Securities and Exchange
Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC  20459-0609 or
filed electronically at: rule-comments@sec.gov.  All submissions
should refer to Comment File No. S7-13-00.  Electronic
submissions should include "Comment File No. S7-13-00" and
"Testimony" in the subject line.  Copies of all requests to
testify and other submissions and transcripts of the hearings
will be available for public inspection and copying in the
Commission's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, DC  20549.  Electronically submitted requests and
other materials will be posted on the Commission's Internet web
site (www.sec.gov) following the hearings.

     The hearing on September 20 will be held in the William O.
Douglas Room at the Commission's headquarters at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, DC  20549.

     For further information contact: John M. Morrissey, Deputy
Chief Accountant, Office of the Chief Accountant, at (202) 942-
4400.

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