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Posted on 04/07/2006 12:51:19 PM PDT by presidio9
A group of Exxon Mobil Corp. shareholders said on Wednesday it has filed a resolution accusing the oil company of discrimination against women for sponsoring the Masters golf tournament.
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The leading proponent of the resolution, which now must be voted on by shareholders, is Martha Burk, head of the National Council of Women's Organizations. She has waged a long-running battle with the Augusta National Golf Club, host of the Masters, over its refusal to admit women as members.
Exxon confirmed the resolution had been filed and will appear in the company's proxy, which will be filed with U.S. regulators next week.
Unsuccessful at convincing the club to open its doors to women in a battle three years ago, Burk has lately focused her attention on pressuring Masters sponsors and club members.
One of the world's prime sports television advertising properties, the Masters aired without commercials in 2003 and 2004 but welcomed back Exxon Mobil, SBC Communications and IBM as sponsors last year. This year's tournament starts on Thursday.
It is the first time the resolution has been filed at Exxon, which frequently attracts resolutions over a myriad of issues ranging from global warming to sexual orientation discrimination.
The proposal calls for management to report all expenses at or related to venues that discriminate against women, and accuses the company of violating its anti-discrimination policy by sponsoring the Masters.
"ExxonMobil would not sponsor such an event if it were held at a venue that discriminated against African-Americans or other racial minorities," Burk said in a statement. "It should be no different for women."
The resolution was also sponsored by members of a group called Responsible Wealth, which promotes income equality.
An Exxon spokesman said the company chooses which organizations and events to support based on an assessment of business needs, fit with corporate social objectives and overall effectiveness.
"For example, ExxonMobil chose to sponsor the Masters Tournament because it provides a unique opportunity to promote the Company's messages, including ExxonMobil's support for education, to its wide international audience," the company said in a statement.
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And meanwhile, in other news, nobody cares, they're all too busy watching David Duval melt down and wondering if Tiger and Lefty are going to get paired up in Sunday final grouping.
}:-)4
Time to cancel my home depot card and get an Exxon card.
Go Exxon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Crenshaw
Arnold Palmer
Jack Nicklaus
John Daly
Hootie Johnson
Davis Love III
Billy Mayfield
Larry Mize
Phil Mickelson
Raymond Floyd
Mark O'Meara
David Toms
Tom Watson
Fuzzy Zoeller
Jim Nantz
How come you can have an LPGA that only the ladies can play in?
They should just not buy gas--That's all.
Actually, I'm sorta pissed at Martha Burke. If she got back out there with her silly crusade maybe we'd still have no commercials this year.
Very prominent name missing from that list.
SHHHHHH! Put that cat back in the bag.
Ditto. I will now purchase all my gas at Exxon.
RACISTS!!!
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
/sarcasm
I hope Palmer has seen the light regarding Murtha.
My fav is Hootie Johnson. Liberals hate him cuz he is a good ol boy. Turns out he is a lib. Votes for Ernest Hollings anyway.
Yeah, like those broads could qualify for membership in Augusta anyway.
Martha must think that the members of Augusta National get to play golf on the course. The only purpose for that course is for the Masters. It is under reconstruction the rest of the year.
Shut the Hell up and get me a beer already!!!!
Do you mean Tiger? If so, ol' Eldrick hasn't shared his fortune with any politician or pac yet. Perhaps he's made statements, but no $$$.
If you didn't mean Tiger, then I'm stumped. Who are you referring to?
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