FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      97-74


            SEC TO CONSIDER ONE ITEM AT OPEN MEETING


     Washington, D.C., September 17, 1997 -- The Securities and
Exchange Commission will consider one item at an open meeting
conducted under the Government in the Sunshine Act on September 18,
at 2:30 p.m.  The meeting will be held in Room 1C30, at the
Commission's headquarters building, 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C.  The item for discussion is:

     -    whether to issue a release soliciting comment on
          proposals to improve the operation of Rule 14a-8.  Rule
          14a-8 governs the submission of shareholder proposals to
          companies and their inclusion in companies' proxy
          materials.  The proposals would also make related
          amendments to Rules 13d-5, 14a-2, 14a-4 and 14a-5.  The
          Commission will simultaneously issue a report on its
          study of the shareholder proposal process required by
          Section 510(b) of the National Securities Markets
          Improvement Act of 1996.




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Any member of the public who requires auxiliary aids such as a sign
language interpreter or material on tape to attend a public meeting 
should contact Rochelle Franks, Office of Administrative and
Personnel Management, to make arrangements.  Ms. Franks can be
reached at TTY number (202) 942-9558.  If you are calling from a  
non-TTY number, please call the Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339.