News Release -- 2002

Brethren Benefit Trust files a resolution with Tricon Global Resaurants for smoke-free facilities

April 4, 2002

Just 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke compromises the blood flow of nonsmokers in a way that makes the blood circulation of nonsmokers indistinguishable from that of habitual smokers.

This statistic, reported in a 2001 editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), comes from a study of healthy young volunteers with no evidence of coronary disease. JAMA also reports that for waiters in restaurants, lung cancer risks are 50 percent higher than for others because of secondhand smoke.

In accordance with the 1981 Annual Conference Statement on Tobacco, which directed the Church of the Brethren to witness against the raising, government subsidization, and use of tobacco, Brethren Benefit Trust has filed a resolution with Tricon Global Restaurants asking that all company-owned restaurants be made smoke-free. The resolution will be considered at the corporation’s annual meeting in Louisville, Ky. on May 16.

Tricon is the parent company of Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Taco Bell restaurants. It recently announced a plan to purchase Long John Silver's and A&W, leading it to propose a name change to YUM! Brands, Inc.

Brethren Benefit Trust is the lead filer of the resolution. Co-filers include Christus Health, St. Joseph Health System, Sisters of St. Francis, and the Congregation of Divine Providence. This action also carries out BBT’s commitment to merge social values with investment decisions, which it works at through its association with the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.

According to Will Thomas, Director of Foundation Operations at Brethren Benefit Trust, proxy statements will soon be distributed to Tricon shareholders. Tricon’s board recommends a vote against the resolution, fearing a loss of business if smoking customers stay away. Brethren Benefit Trust encourages investors to give careful consideration to their proxy votes rather than simply voting with management or ignoring this opportunity. “Through their proxy votes, shareholders can signal the Board and management how they, the owners, would like the company to be run,” said Thomas.

Several Web sites are available for further information on shareholder resolutions. www.socialfunds.com lists shareholder resolutions under way. The text of many shareholder resolutions, including the Tricon resolution, is available at www.iccr.org. Proxy voting guidelines are available at www.domini.com and www.shareholderaction.org.

For more information on Brethren Benefit Trust’s socially responsible investing practices, contact Will Thomas at wthomas_bbt@brethren.org, or call 800-746-1505.