March 6, 2017
Dear Commissioner Piwowar,
Please continue to implement the Conflict Minerals Rule.
I want to know detailed information about any purchases that I make, because by my purchases I am supporting the seller. This is particularly true with conflict minerals. I do not want my purchases to support violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Conflict Minerals Rule has made it easier for me to assess which companies are taking steps to ensure their products are not linked to this decades-long conflict. Additionally, I believe transparent supply chains are an important indicator of a companys overall stability, which is a key factor for making both purchasing and investment decisions. It goes against the values of our nation, as well as my personal ethics, to purchase conflict minerals from the Congo or anywhere.
If such minerals are of value, I feel that the cost of implementation will be accommodated by the market. I urge you to keep the Conflict Minerals Rule fully intact, and to work with your fellow SEC commissioners to enforce the Rule moving forward.
Thank you.