A letter to a CEO.

• Author: Gormley, Doris
• Position: Response to article by T.J. Rodgers in this issue

Editor's Note: Here is a letter sent by Sister Doris Gormley in response to Mr. Rodgers' letter.

August 6, 1996

Mr. T.J. Rodgers President Cypress Semiconductor Inc. 3901 North First Street San Jose, CA 95134-1599

Dear Mr. Rodgers:

All of my correspondence to you to date has been intended exclusively for your consideration and that of your staff. Since you chose to take our discussion into a public forum by sending your letter to me to every Cypress shareholder, I am now writing to respond formally to your letter of May 23 and to summarize our position with regard to the issues under discussion. In doing so I of course express my own opinion but also mirror the thinking of 275 investors who compose the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility.

Your lengthy response to my letter expressing our position regarding board diversity leaves my with an even greater concern for shareholder rights at Cypress. At the point in time when you made the decision to publicly trade Cypress shares you surely took under consideration that along with shareholders' money, would come an interest in the way in which "our" company is being managed. Even when shareholders express views in conflict with management, shareholders expect them to be received with courtesy and respect and to be explored for new insights. Your misrepresentation and exploitation of our input for political purposes certainly does not reflect favorably on your sensitivity to shareholders or your vision for the future of Cypress.

We believe that "freedom" to manage the affairs of any corporation is enhanced rather then inhibited by consideration of diverse perspectives on business issues. Having surrounded yourself with people who think and act in concert with you apparently has curtailed your awareness of the diverse and complex society beyond the walls of Cypress. Decision-making can only benefit from the creativity and innovative thinking of a broad sample of talents and experience. It is difficult for me to understand how a person with your gifts and talents can feel so threatened by a differing opinion.

While we appreciate Cypress' positive actions in the interest of social responsibility as listed on page 3 of your letter, this does not negate or even minimize the need for continuous quality improvement. How many good business practices are enough and can't they get better year after year?

Surely you understand that expanding markets require expanding perspectives to meet the...