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SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14A-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary proxy statement. [ ] Confidential, for use of the
Commission only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2).
[ ] Definitive proxy statement.
[X] Definitive additional materials.
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12.
USG Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
USG Corporation
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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May 5, 2000
Dear Fellow USG Shareholder:
Your company's Annual Meeting is less than one week away. I am asking you to
support your company's highly qualified, independent nominees, who have made
significant contributions to USG's financial performance. At the same time, I
urge you to reject the attempt by Hakatak Enterprises to install its candidates
on your company's Board. PLEASE VOTE YOUR SHARES TODAY BY TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE,
BY FOLLOWING THE SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS AT THE END OF THIS LETTER.
Since our recent announcement of record quarterly earnings, there are strong
indications that the market is beginning to recognize the value that USG's
shares represent. Like many "old economy" stocks, USG's stock performance has
been overshadowed by the market's interest in "new economy" investments. We
believe that the market is returning to companies that make real products and
real profits. Since the end of February, USG's share price has risen from a low
of 30 3/4 on February 25, to 43* on May 4, an increase of 40%. Over the same
period, USG has significantly outperformed its peers.
We believe the substantial increase in the value of your shares reflects the
execution of USG's business plan, which is designed to yield real returns to
shareholders while prudently reinvesting in your company's future. One industry
analyst recently said:
"...we continue to believe that management is leading shareholders down the
right track. Attracting new investors and getting a higher share price will
eventually come as management executes their plan. Investors with the patience
to be holders since the restructuring days of the early 1990's ought to have the
patience to wait another twelve to eighteen months. We think there is tremendous
value in the shares and that investors should continue to buy."* Matt Moyer,
A.G. Edwards & Sons, 4-19-00
USG is committed to shareholder value. Your management team regularly consults
with leading independent investment bankers in its continuing commitment to
enhancing shareholder value. Your Board of Directors and management carefully
evaluate all opportunities to increase the value of your investment. We remain
convinced that by investing for growth in our core businesses, while providing
direct cash returns to shareholders through dividends and stock repurchases, we
are creating real, sustainable value for our shareholders. We have recently
accelerated our stock buyback program, and last month authorized the repurchase
of an additional 5 million shares, or 10 percent of shares outstanding. When
both current buyback programs are completed, we will have repurchased 20 percent
of all outstanding shares. As another analyst stated:
"Given the aggressive share repurchase dividend programs that have been
implemented, it seems difficult to argue that management is not
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* emphasis added.
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taking logical steps to increase shareholder value and return cash to its equity
owners." Chris Winham, Goldman, Sachs & Co., 4-19-00
USG is committed to its shareholders. Your company holds ongoing meetings with
key investors throughout the country on a regular basis. In 1999 we had 120
face-to-face meetings with investors in fifteen different cities across the U.S.
Last year, I personally met with seven of our largest shareholders. Furthermore,
over the last two years, USG has had several conversations with Tom Hacker of
Hakatak Enterprises to discuss his issues and concerns. At no time did Mr.
Hacker request Board representation, prior to his notification that he was
nominating his own slate. We were therefore dismayed by Hakatak's decision to
engage in a distracting and costly proxy contest in which it has presented no
concrete plans or proposals for the future of your company.
As the Annual Meeting approaches, I again urge you to support your Board's
independent nominees who have been instrumental in making your company an
industry leader. We are committed, above all, to returning value to our
shareholders. Please take a few minutes to support your Board's recommendations
by following the simple instructions set forth below.
Thank you for your continuing support.
/s/ Bill Foote
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Bill Foote
Chairman, CEO and President
USG Corporation
TOLL-FREE PROXYGRAM OPERATORS WHO ARE INDEPENDENT OF THE COMPANY
ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOU NOW!!!
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Call Toll-Free 1-877-880-9547, anytime, day or night.
2. Tell the operator that you wish to send a collect ProxyGram to ID No.
8482, USG Corporation.
3. State your name, address and telephone number.
4. State the bank or broker at which your shares are held and your control
number as shown below:
Name: (NA.1)
Broker: (Broker)
Control number: (ControlNum)
Number of shares: (NumShares)
5. Give the operator your voting preferences, using the proxy text below.
Note: Permission to quote from the analysts' reports cited here has been
obtained.
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USG CORPORATION
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVALS IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. [ ]
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3.
1. Election of four USG Corporation directors For Withheld For All
to serve for a three year term: All All Except
01-KEITH A. BROWN, 02-JAMES C. COTTING, [ ] [ ] [ ]
03-W. DOUGLAS FORD, 04-JOHN B. SCHWEMM.
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USG DIRECTOR NOMINEE EXCEPTION(S), IF ANY.
2. APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO THE CORPORATION'S For Against Abstain
OMNIBUS MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN. [ ] [ ] [ ]
3. RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ARTHUR
ANDERSEN LLP AS INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2000.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST ITEM 4.
4. APPROVAL OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING For Against Abstain
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLANS, IF SUCH PROPOSAL [ ] [ ] [ ]
IS PROPERLY MADE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.
5. IN THEIR DISCRETION, ON ANY OTHER MATTER
THAT MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.
I plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Yes!
[ ]
Dated:
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Signature
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Signature
The signature(s) above should agree with the name(s) shown on this Proxy. Where
stock is owned by more than one person, all owners should sign the Proxy. This
proxy will then be voted as directed or, if no direction is indicated, it will
be voted FOR Items 1, 2 and 3 and AGAINST Item 4.
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PROXY USG CORPORATION PROXY
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON MAY 10, 2000
The undersigned hereby appoints William C. Foote and Dean H. Goossen and each or
any of them, attorneys, with power of substitution and with powers the
undersigned would possess if personally present, to vote all stock of the
undersigned in USG CORPORATION at the annual meeting of stockholders of said
Corporation in the Sixth Floor Auditorium, The Northern Trust Building, 50
South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois, on May 10, 2000, and any adjournment
thereof, on the matters shown below and as set forth in the accompanying Notice
of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
Please indicate any change in address.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
