-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, Db8hy2UVRZ/Vtz30JVrBFqShlVG/tNVScGc4UVJHvw8uIO7JiQahx8spkUEsIicx gzEKN8AAV0RZIHAjEXjACg== 0000950159-09-001940.txt : 20091009 0000950159-09-001940.hdr.sgml : 20091009 20091009141332 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950159-09-001940 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: PX14A6G PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 FILED AS OF DATE: 20091009 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091009 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20091009 SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: HARRIS CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000202058 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SEARCH, DETECTION, NAVIGATION, GUIDANCE, AERONAUTICAL SYS [3812] IRS NUMBER: 340276860 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0627 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PX14A6G SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-03863 FILM NUMBER: 091113720 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1025 W NASA BLVD CITY: MELBOURNE STATE: FL ZIP: 32919 BUSINESS PHONE: 3217279100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1025 W NASA BLVD CITY: MELBOURNE STATE: FL ZIP: 32919 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: HARRIS SEYBOLD CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19600201 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Norges Bank CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001374170 IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: Q8 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: PX14A6G BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: BANKPLASSEN2 STREET 2: P.O BOX 1179 SENTRUM CITY: OSLO STATE: Q8 ZIP: 0107 BUSINESS PHONE: 004722316922 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: BANKPLASSEN2 STREET 2: P.O BOX 1179 SENTRUM CITY: OSLO STATE: Q8 ZIP: 0107 PX14A6G 1 harrispx14a6g.htm NORGES BANK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT FORM PX14A6G harrispx14a6g.htm
 

UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

NOTICE OF EXEMPT SOLICITATION

1.  Name of the Registrant
Harris Corporation

2. Name of person relying on exemption
Norges Bank

3. Address of person relying on exemption
Bankplassen 2
P.O. Box 1179 Sentrum
Oslo Q8 0107

4. Written Materials. Attach written material required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-6(g)(1).

 
 
 


NBIM Submits a Shareholder Resolution to Harris Corporation Seeking an Independent Chairman

Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) has submitted a shareholder proposal to the US company Harris Corporation requiring that the company have an independent chairman.

NBIM holds assets in excess of US$400 billion globally, of which US$66 billion is invested in US equities.

The general meeting of Harris Corporation will be on 23 October, 2009. At that meeting, shareholders will vote on the proposal submitted by NBIM to amend the company’s bylaws to require that the chairman of the board of directors be independent from the company.

“NBIM is a long term shareholder and makes active use of its ownership rights in order to help safeguard financial wealth for future generations by promoting good corporate governance and encouraging high ethical, social and environmental standards at companies it is invested in,” said Anne Kvam, NBIM’s Global Head of Corporate Governance.

Sound corporate governance is a prerequisite for long term value creation.  In that context, the composition of the Board should be such that it represents all stockholders to whom it is accountable.  The roles of Chairman of the Board and CEO are fundamentally different and should not be held by the same person.  There should be a clear division of the responsibilities between these positions to ensure a balance of power and authority on the board. “This is a fundamental principle of good corporate governance that we seek globally for our portfolio companies,” said Kvam.

The board should be led by an independent Chairman and be in a position to make independent evaluations and decisions, hire management, set a remuneration policy that encourages good performance, provide strategic direction and have the support to take long-term views in the development of business strategies.  An independent Chairman is better able to oversee and give guidance to Corporation executives and help prevent conflict or the perception of conflict. This will in turn effectively strengthen the system of checks-and-balances within the corporate structure and protect stockholder value.

“In our current challenging markets, we believe that an independent Chairman is essential.  An independent chairman will be an asset to the company when the board must make the necessary strategic decisions and prioritizations ahead to sustain a strong share price and to create shareholder value over time,” said Kvam.



 
 

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