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)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12 Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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) (4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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): -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 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: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
June 28, 2006
To the Stockholders:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting) of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (the Fund) will be held at Citigroup Center, 153 East 53rd Street, 14th Floor Conference Center, New York, New York, on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 3:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, for the purposes of considering and voting upon the following:
1. | The election of Directors (Proposal 1); and | |
2. | Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting. |
The close of business on June 16, 2006 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors, | |
Robert I. Frenkel | |
Secretary |
Instructions for Signing Proxy Cards
The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card properly.
1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.
2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration.
3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individual signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:
Registration | Valid Signature | ||
Corporate Accounts | |||
(1) | ABC Corp | ABC Corp. (by John Doe, Treasurer) | |
(2) | ABC Corp | John Doe, Treasurer | |
(3) | ABC Corp., c/o John Doe, Treasurer | John Doe | |
(4) | ABC Corp. Profit Sharing Plan | John Doe, Trustee | |
Trust Accounts | |||
(1) | ABC Trust | Jane B. Doe, Trustee | |
(2) | Jane B. Doe, Trustee, u/t/d 12/28/78 | Jane B. Doe | |
Custodial or Estate Accounts | |||
(1) | John B. Smith, Cust., f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. UGMA | John B. Smith | |
(2) | John B. Smith | John B. Smith, Jr., Executor |
PROXY STATEMENT
This proxy statement is furnished in connection with a solicitation by the Board of Directors of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (the Fund) of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Meeting) of the Fund to be held at Citigroup Center, 153 East 53rd Street, 14th Floor Conference Center, New York, New York, on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 3:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof), for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being mailed to stockholders on or about June 28, 2006. Stockholders who execute proxies retain the right to revoke them in person at the Meeting or by written notice received by the Secretary of the Fund at any time before they are voted. Unrevoked proxies will be voted in accordance with the specifications thereon and, unless specified to the contrary, will be voted FOR the election of Directors. The close of business on June 16, 2006 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting. Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each full share and an appropriate fraction of a vote for each fractional share held. On June 16, 2006, there were 77,614,787 shares of the Funds common stock outstanding.
In accordance with the Funds By-Laws, a quorum is constituted by the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds common stock entitled to vote at the Meeting. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting, or in the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposals are not received, the Meeting may be adjourned to a date not more than 120 days after the original record date to permit further solicitation of proxies. Any such adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of those shares represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy. The persons named as proxies will vote those proxies which they are entitled to vote FOR or AGAINST any such proposal in their discretion.
Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc (SBAM), whose principal business address is 399 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022, is the Funds investment adviser and administrator and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason, Inc. (Legg Mason).
Proposal 1: Election of Directors
In accordance with the Funds charter, the Funds Board of Directors is divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect two Class II Directors to hold office until the year 2009 or thereafter when their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. The effect of these staggered terms is to limit the ability of other entities or persons to acquire control of the Fund by delaying the replacement of a majority of the Board of Directors.
The persons named in the proxy intend to vote at the Meeting (unless directed not to vote) FOR the election of the nominees named below. Each of the nominees is currently a member of the Funds Board of Directors and has indicated that they will serve if elected. However, if any nominee should be unable to serve,
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the proxy will be voted for any other person determined by the persons named in the proxy in accordance with their judgment.
The following table provides information concerning the nominees for election as Directors of the Fund:
Number of | ||||||||||
Portfolios in | ||||||||||
Fund Complex* | ||||||||||
Overseen | Other | |||||||||
by Nominee | Directorships | |||||||||
Position(s) Held | Length of |
|
(including | Held by | ||||||
Name, Address and Age | with the Fund) | Term Served | During Past 5 years | the Fund | Nominee | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Nominees to serve as Class II Directors until the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders | ||||||||||
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTOR NOMINEES | ||||||||||
Leslie H. Gelb | Director and | Since | President Emeritus and | 34 | Director of two registered | |||||
c/o Chairman of the Fund | Member of | 2001 | Senior Board Fellow, The | investment companies | ||||||
399 Park Avenue 4th Floor | Audit and | Council on Foreign | advised by Blackstone | |||||||
New York, NY 10022 | Nominating | Relations; formerly, | Asia Advisors L.L.C. | |||||||
Birth year: 1937 | Committees | Columnist, Deputy | (Blackstone Advisors) | |||||||
Editorial Page Editor and | ||||||||||
Editor, Op-Ed Page, The | ||||||||||
New York Times. | ||||||||||
Dr. Riordan Roett | Director and | Since | Professor and Director, | 34 | None | |||||
The Johns Hopkins University | Member of | 1998 | Latin American Studies | |||||||
1740 Massachusetts Ave., NW | Audit and | Program, Paul H. Nitze | ||||||||
Washington, D.C. 20036 | Nominating | School of Advanced | ||||||||
Birth year: 1938 | Committees | International Studies, The | ||||||||
Johns Hopkins University. | ||||||||||
Class I Directors serving until the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders | ||||||||||
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||||
Daniel P. Cronin | Director and | Since | Retired; formerly, Associate | 34 | None | |||||
c/o Chairman of the Fund | Member of | 1998 | General Counsel, Pfizer, | |||||||
399 Park Avenue 4th Floor | Audit and | Inc. | ||||||||
New York, NY 10022 | Nominating | |||||||||
Birth year: 1946 | Committees | |||||||||
Jeswald W. Salacuse | Director and | Since | Henry J. Braker Professor of | 34 | Director of two registered | |||||
c/o Chairman of the Fund | Member of | 1998 | Commercial Law and for- | investment companies | ||||||
399 Park Avenue 4th Floor | Audit and | merly Dean, The Fletcher | advised by Blackstone | |||||||
New York, NY 10022 | Nominating | School of Law & | Advisors | |||||||
Birth year: 1938 | Committees | Diplomacy, Tufts University. |
* | The term fund complex means
two or more registered investment companies that: |
(a) |
Hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of investment and investor services; or |
(b) |
Have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other registered investment companies. |
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The following table provides information concerning the remaining Directors of the Fund:
Number of | ||||||||||
Portfolios in | ||||||||||
|
||||||||||
Overseen | Other | |||||||||
by Nominee | Directorships | |||||||||
Position(s) Held | Length of |
|
(including | Held by | ||||||
Name, Address and Age | with the Fund) | Term Served | During Past 5 years | the Fund | Nominee | |||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class III Directors until the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders | ||||||||||
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS | ||||||||||
Carol L. Colman | Director and | Since | President, Colman | 37 | None | |||||
Colman Consulting | Member of | 2002 | Consulting Co. | |||||||
278 Hawley Road | Audit and | |||||||||
North Salem, NY 10560 | Nominating | |||||||||
Birth year: 1946 | Committees | |||||||||
William R. Hutchinson | Director and | Since | President, W.R. | 44 |
Director of Associated
|
|||||
535 N. Michigan Avenue | Member of | 1998 | Hutchinson & Associates | Banc-Corp. | ||||||
Suite 1012 | Nominating | Inc. (consulting), formerly | ||||||||
Chicago, IL 60611 | and Audit | Group Vice President, | ||||||||
Birth year: 1942 | Mergers and Acquisitions, | |||||||||
BP Amoco p.l.c. | ||||||||||
R. Jay Gerken, CFA** | Chairman, | Since | Managing Director of | 169 |
Trustee, Consulting Group
|
|||||
Legg Mason, Inc. | CEO, President 2002 | Legg Mason, Chairman, | Capital Markets Fund | |||||||
399 Park Avenue 4th Floor | and Director | President and Chief Executive | ||||||||
New York, NY 10022 | Officer of Smith Barney Fund | |||||||||
Birth year: 1951 | Management LLC (SBFM) | |||||||||
and Citi Fund Management | ||||||||||
Inc. (CFM); President and | ||||||||||
Chief Executive Officer of | ||||||||||
certain mutual funds asso- | ||||||||||
ciated with Legg Mason; | ||||||||||
Formerly Portfolio Manager | ||||||||||
of Smith Barney Allocation | ||||||||||
Series Inc. (from 1996 to | ||||||||||
2001) Chairman of the Board, | ||||||||||
Trustee and Director of 169 | ||||||||||
funds associated with the | ||||||||||
Investment Manager or its | ||||||||||
affiliates. |
** |
Mr. Gerken is an interested person as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), because he is a Managing Director of SBAM, the Funds
investment adviser. |
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The following table provides information concerning the dollar range of equity securities owned beneficially by each Director and nominee for election as Director as of December 31, 2005:
Aggregate Dollar Range(1) of Equity Securities | ||||
Dollar Range(1) of Equity | in all Funds Overseen by Director/Nominee | |||
Name of Director/Nominee | Securities in the Fund | in Family of Investment Companies(2) | ||
|
|
|
||
NON-INTERESTED DIRECTORS/NOMINEES | ||||
Carol L. Colman | A | E | ||
Daniel P. Cronin | C | E | ||
Leslie H. Gelb | A | A | ||
William R. Hutchinson | C | E | ||
Dr. Riordan Roett | A | A | ||
Jeswald W. Salacuse | B | C | ||
INTERESTED DIRECTOR | ||||
R. Jay Gerken | C | E |
(1) |
The dollar ranges are
as follows: A = None; B = $1-$10,000; C = $10,001-$50,000; D = $50,001-$100,000; E = Over
$100,000. |
(2) |
Family of Investment Companies means any two or more registered investment companies that share the same investment adviser or principal underwriter or hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes
of investment and investor services. |
No Director or nominee for election as Director who is not an interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act, nor any immediate family members, to the best of the Funds knowledge, had any interest in SBAM, the Funds investment adviser, or any person or entity (other than the Fund) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with SBAM as of December 31, 2005.
Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring that the Fund is managed in the best interest of its stockholders. The Directors oversee the Funds business by, among other things, meeting with the Funds management and evaluating the performance of the Funds service providers including SBAM, the custodian and the transfer agent. As part of this process, the Directors consult with the Funds independent auditors and with their own separate independent counsel.
The Board of Directors has four regularly scheduled meetings each year and additional meetings are scheduled as needed. In addition, the Board has an Audit Committee and a Nominating Committee that meet periodically and whose responsibilities are described below.
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006, the Board of Directors held four regular meetings and five special meetings. Each Director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board and the committees for which he or she was eligible. The Fund does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Directors at annual meetings of stockholders. Mr. Gerken attended the Funds 2005 annual meeting of stockholders.
The Directors review the Funds financial statements, performance and market price as well as the quality of the services being provided to the Fund. As part of this process, the Directors review the Funds fees and expenses to determine if they are reasonable and competitive in light of the services being received and while also ensuring that the Fund continues to have access to high quality services in the future. Based on these reviews, the Directors periodically make suggestions to the Funds management and monitor to ensure that responsive action is taken. The Directors also monitor potential conflicts of interest among the Fund, SBAM and its affiliates and other funds and clients managed by SBAM to ensure that the Fund is managed in a manner which is in the best interest of the Funds stockholders.
4
At June 16, 2006, the Nominees, Directors and officers of the Fund as a group beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Funds common stock. To the knowledge of management, no person owned of record or owned beneficially more than 5% of the Funds common stock outstanding at that date, except that Cede & Co., a nominee for participants in Depository Trust Company, held of record 76,878,021 shares, equal to approximately 99% of the Funds outstanding shares.
The Funds executive officers are chosen each year at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fund, to hold office until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified. In addition to Mr. Gerken, the Funds Chairman, CEO and President, the executive officers of the Fund currently are:
|
Length of | Principal Occupation(s) | ||||
Name, Address and Age
|
with Fund | Time Served | During Past 5 years | |||
|
|
|
|
|||
Andrew B. Shoup | Senior Vice | Since 2003 | Director of Legg Mason; Senior Vice | |||
Legg Mason | President and | President and Chief Administrative | ||||
125 Broad Street, | Chief | Officer of mutual funds associated with | ||||
11th Floor | Administrative | Legg Mason; Formerly, Head of | ||||
New York, NY 10004 | Officer | International Funds Administration of | ||||
Birth year: 1956 | Legg Mason or its predecessors (from | |||||
2001-2003) | ||||||
Frances M. Guggino | Treasurer and | Since 2004 | Director of Legg Mason; Chief Financial | |||
Legg Mason | Chief Financial | Officer and Treasurer of certain mutual | ||||
125 Broad Street, | Officer | funds associated with Legg Mason. | ||||
10th Floor | ||||||
New York, NY 10004 | Controller | 2002-2004 | Formerly Controller of certain mutual | |||
Birth year: 1957 | funds associated with Legg Mason. | |||||
Wendy Setnicka | Controller | Since 2004 | Vice President of Legg Mason (since | |||
Legg Mason | 2002); Controller of certain mutual funds | |||||
125 Broad Street, | associated with Legg Mason (since 2004); | |||||
10th Floor | Formerly, Assistant Controller of | |||||
New York, NY 10004 | certain mutual funds associated with | |||||
Birth year: 1964 | Legg Mason; (from 2002 to 2004); | |||||
Accounting Manager with Legg Mason | ||||||
(from 1998 to 2002). | ||||||
Robert I. Frenkel | Secretary and | Since 2003 | Managing Director and General Counsel | |||
Legg Mason | Chief Legal | of Global Mutual Funds for Legg Mason | ||||
300 First Stamford Place | Officer | and its predecessor (since 1994); | ||||
Stamford, CT 06902 | Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of | |||||
Birth year: 1954 | certain mutual funds associated with | |||||
Legg Mason. | ||||||
Ted P. Becker | Chief Compliance | Since 2006 | Managing Director of Compliance at | |||
Legg Mason | Officer | Legg Mason (2005-Present); Chief | ||||
399 Park Avenue, | Compliance Officer with certain mutual | |||||
New York, NY 10022 | funds associated with Legg Mason (since | |||||
Birth Year: 1951 | 2006); Managing Director of Compliance | |||||
at Legg Mason or its predecessors | ||||||
(2002-2005). Prior to 2002, Managing | ||||||
DirectorInternal Audit & Risk Review at | ||||||
Citigroup Inc. |
The Funds Audit Committee is composed of all Directors who have been determined not to be interested persons of the Fund, SBAM or its affiliates within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and who are independent as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. Currently, the Audit Committee is composed of Ms. Colman, Messrs. Cronin, Gelb, Hutchinson and Salacuse and Dr. Roett. The principal functions of the Audit Committee are: to (a) oversee the scope of the Funds audit, the Funds accounting and financial reporting policies and practices and its internal controls and enhance the quality and objectivity of the audit function; (b) approve, and recommend to the Independent Board Members (as such term is defined in the Audit Committee Charter)
5
for their ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, as well as approving the compensation thereof; and (c) approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund and certain other persons by the Funds independent registered public accounting firm. This Committee met six times during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. The Funds Board of Directors adopted an amended Audit Committee Charter at a meeting held on February 3, 2006, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex A.
The Funds Nominating Committee, the principal function of which is to select and nominate candidates for election as Directors of the Fund, is currently composed of Ms. Colman, Messrs. Cronin, Gelb, Hutchinson and Salacuse and Dr. Roett. Only Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act and who are independent as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards are members of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee may accept nominees recommended by the stockholder as it deems appropriate. Stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send recommendations to the Funds Secretary that include all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors. A recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to serve if elected by the stockholders. The Nominating Committee did not meet during the Funds fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. The Funds Board of Directors adopted a Nominating Committee Charter at a meeting held on January 20, 2004, a copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Annex B.
The Nominating Committee identifies potential nominees through its network of contacts, and may also engage, if it deems appropriate, a professional search firm. The Nominating Committee meets to discuss and consider such candidates qualifications and then chooses a candidate by majority vote. The Nominating Committee does not have specific, minimum qualifications for nominees and has not established specific qualities or skills that it regards as necessary for one or more of the Funds Directors to possess (other than any qualities or skills that may be required by applicable law, regulation or listing standard). However, as set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter, in evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as a Director of the Fund, the Committee may consider the following factors, among any others it may deem relevant:
6
Report of the Audit Committee
Pursuant to a meeting of the Audit Committee on June 26, 2006, the Audit Committee reports that it has: (i) reviewed and discussed the Funds audited financial statements with management; (ii) discussed with KPMG LLP (KPMG), the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund, the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61; and (iii) previously received written confirmation from KPMG that it is independent and written disclosures regarding such independence as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, and discussed with KPMG the independent registered public accounting firms independence.
Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter adopted by the Funds Board, the Audit Committee is responsible for conferring with the Funds independent registered public accounting firm, reviewing annual financial statements and recommending the selection of the Funds independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee advises the full Board with respect to accounting, auditing and financial matters affecting the Fund. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for planning and carrying out the proper audits and reviews of the Funds financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of auditing or accounting and are responsible for oversight. Moreover, the Audit Committee relies on and makes no independent verification of the facts presented to it or representations made by management or the independent registered public accounting firm. Accordingly, the Audit Committees oversight does not provide an independent basis to determine that management has maintained appropriate accounting and financial reporting principals and policies, or internal controls and procedures, designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Audit Committees considerations and discussions referred to above do not provide assurance that the audit of the Funds financial statements has been carried out in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards or that the financial statements are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Based on the review and discussions referred to in items (i) through (iii) above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board has approved) that the audited financial statements be included in the Funds annual report for the Funds fiscal year ended April 30, 2006.
Submitted by the Audit Committee | |
of the Funds Board of Directors | |
Carol L. Colman | |
Daniel P. Cronin | |
Leslie H. Gelb | |
William R. Hutchinson | |
Dr. Riordan Roett | |
Jeswald W. Salacuse | |
June 26, 2006 |
7
Additional Matters
Special Shareholder Notice
On December 1, 2005, Citigroup completed the sale of substantially all of its asset management business, Citigroup Asset Management (CAM), to Legg Mason. As a result, the Funds investment adviser (the Manager), previously an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Citigroup, has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legg Mason. Completion of the sale caused the Funds existing investment management contract to terminate. The Funds shareholders previously approved a new investment management contract between the Fund and the Manager, which became effective on December 1, 2005.
Compensation
Under the federal securities laws, the Fund is required to provide to stockholders in connection with the Meeting information regarding compensation paid to the Directors by the Fund, as well as by the various other investment companies advised by SBAM. The following table provides information concerning the compensation paid to each Director by the Fund during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006 and the total compensation paid to each Director during the calendar year ended April 30, 2006. Certain of the Directors listed below are members of the Funds Audit and Nominating Committees, as well as other committees of the boards of certain other investment companies advised by SBAM. Accordingly, the amounts provided in the table include compensation for service on all such committees. The Fund does not provide any pension or retirement benefits to Directors. In addition, no remuneration was paid during the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006 by the Fund to Mr. Gerken who is an interested person as defined in the 1940 Act.
Aggregate | Total Compensation | |||
Compensation | from the Fund and | |||
from the Fund | Fund Complex(1) for | |||
for Fiscal Year Ended | Calendar Year Ended | |||
Name of Directors | 04/30/06 | 12/31/05 | ||
|
|
|
||
Directorships(2) | ||||
Carol L. Colman(3) | $12,778 | $233,500(37) | ||
Daniel P. Cronin(3) | $11,917 | $176,500(34) | ||
Leslie H. Gelb(3) | $ 9,417 | $169,500(34) | ||
Willian R. Hutchinson(3) | $13,530 | $279,300(44) | ||
Dr. Riordan Roett(3) | $ 9,917 | $166,000(34) | ||
Jeswald W. Salacuse(3) | $11,417 | $169,250(34) |
(1) |
Fund Complex means two or more Funds (a registrant or, where the registrant is a series company, a separate portfolio of the registrant) that hold themselves out to investors as related companies for purposes of
investment and investor services or have a common investment adviser or have an investment adviser that is an affiliated person of the investment adviser of any of the other Funds. |
(2) |
The numbers in parentheses indicate the applicable number of investment company directorships held by that Director. |
(3) |
In addition to the
amounts set forth above, Messrs. Cronin, Gelb, Hutchinson, Roett and
Salacuse and Ms. Colman received $95,500, $46,000, $163,450, $82,000, $86,500 and $171,750,
respectively, during the calendar year ended December 31, 2005 for
service as Directors in attending additional meetings relating to
the approval of policies and procedures under Rule 38a-1, certain other
regulatory issues and the consideration of new custody, transfer agency
and accounting arrangements for the Fund. Those amounts were borne
by SBAM and not the Fund. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 30(h) of the 1940 Act in combination require the Funds Directors and officers, persons who own more than 10% of the Funds common stock, SBAM, and its directors and officers, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities
8
and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. The Fund believes that for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006, all relevant persons have complied with applicable filing requirements.
Required Vote
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of shares of the Funds common stock present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting at which a quorum is present. For purposes of the election of Directors, abstentions and broker non-votes will not be considered votes cast, and do not affect the plurality vote required for directors.
THE DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED PERSONS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR.
Fees Paid to Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Audit Fees. Effective June 17, 2005 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) resigned as the Funds principal accountant (the Auditor). The Funds audit committee approved the engagement of KPMG LLP (KPMG) as the Funds new principal accountant for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006. The aggregate fees billed in the last two fiscal years ending April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006 (the Reporting Period) for professional services rendered by PwC for the audit of the Funds annual financial statements, or services that are normally provided in connection with the statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the Reporting Periods, were $33,000 in 2005 and $33,000 in 2006. KPMG has not billed the Registrant for professional services rendered as of April 30, 2006.
Audit Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG and PwC in connection with assurance and related services related to the annual audit of the Fund and for review of the Funds financial statements, other than the Audit Fees described above, for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2005 were $8,500 and $8,766 in April 30, 2006.
In addition, there were no Audit Related Fees billed in the year ended April 30, 2006 for assurance and related services by KPMG or PwC, respectively, to SBAM and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBAM that provides ongoing services to the Fund (SBAM and such other entities together, the Service Affiliates), that were related to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. Accordingly, there were no such fees that required pre-approval by the Audit Committee for the period May 6, 2003 to April 30, 2006 (prior to May 6, 2003 such services provided were not subject to pre-approval requirements).
Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed by KPMG and PwC for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning services, which include the filing and amendment of federal, state and local income tax returns, timely RIC qualification review, and tax distribution and analysis planning, rendered by KPMG or PwC, respectively, to the Fund for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2005 were $7,300 and April 30, 2006 were $5,666 for PwC. As of April 30, 2006 KPMG has not billed the Fund for any tax services rendered.
There were no fees billed by KPMG or PwC to the Service Affiliates for tax services for the period May 6, 2003 through April 30, 2006 that were required to be approved by the Funds Audit Committee.
All Other Fees. There were no other fees billed for other non-audit services rendered by KPMG or PwC to the Fund for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2005 and 2006.
9
There were no other non-audit services rendered by PwC or KPMG to SBAM, and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBAM that provided ongoing services to the Fund requiring preapproval by the Audit Committee in the Reporting Period.
Generally, the Audit Committee must approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services to be provided to the Service Affiliates that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund. The Audit Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services are approved other than by the full Committee, but has not yet done so.
For the Fund the percentage of fees that were approved by the Audit Committee, with respect to: Audit-Related Fees were 100% and 100% for the years ended April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006; Tax Fees were 100% and 100% for the years ended April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006; and for Other Fees paid were 100% for the Reporting Period.
The Audit Committee shall not approve non-audit services that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm. As of the date of the approval of the Audit Committee Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided to the Fund by the independent registered public accounting firm, other than those provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeeping or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii) appraisal or valuation services, fairness opinions or contribution-in-kind reports; (iv) actuarial services (v) internal audit outsourcing services; (vi) management functions or human resources; (vii) broker or dealer, investment adviser or investment banking services; (viii) legal services and expert services unrelated to the audit; and (ix) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible.
Pre-approval by the Audit Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund and the Service Affiliates constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to the Funds independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal year in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the Fund, (b) SBAM and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with SBAM that provides ongoing services to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved by the Audit Committee (or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit.
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by PwC for services rendered to the Fund and Service Affiliates for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006 was $6.4 million and $2.7 million, respectively. The aggregate non-audit fees billed by KPMG for services rendered to the Fund and Service Affiliates for the fiscal years ending April 30, 2005 and April 30, 2006 was $75,000 and $0, respectively.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services to the Service Affiliates that were not pre-approved by the Audit Committee (because they did not require pre-approval) is compatible with maintaining PwCs and KPMGs independence. All services provided by PwC or KPMG to the Fund or to the Service Affiliates that were required to be approved by the Audit Committee were pre-approved.
10
A representative of KPMG, if requested by any stockholder, will be present via telephone at the Meeting to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders and will have an opportunity to make a statement if he or she chooses to do so.
Proposals to be Submitted by Stockholders and other Shareholder Communications
All proposals by stockholders of the Fund which are intended to be presented at the Funds next Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2007 must be received by the Fund for inclusion in the Funds proxy statement and proxy relating to that meeting no later than February 26, 2007. Any stockholder who desires to bring a proposal at the Funds 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders without including such proposal in the Funds proxy statement must deliver written notice thereof to the Secretary of the Fund (addressed to c/o Legg Mason, 300 First Stamford Place, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902) during the period from May 7, 2007 to June 4, 2007. However, if the Funds 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held earlier than July 5, 2007 or later than October 2, 2007, such written notice must be delivered to the Secretary of the Fund during the period from 90 days before the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to the later of 60 days prior to the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or 10 days following the public announcement of the date of the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
The Funds Audit Committee has also established guidelines and procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters (collectively, Accounting Matters). Persons with complaints or concerns regarding Accounting Matters may submit their complaints to the Funds Chief Compliance Officer (CCO). Persons who are uncomfortable submitting complaints to the CCO, including complaints involving the CCO, may submit complaints directly to the Funds Audit Committee Chair (together with the CCO, Complaint Officers). Complaints may by submitted on an anonymous basis.
The CCO may be contacted at:
Legg Mason
Compliance Department
399 Park Avenue, 4th floor
New York, NY 10022
Complaints may also be submitted by telephone at 800-742-5274. Complaints submitted through this number will be received by the CCO.
The Funds Audit Committee Chair may be contacted at:
Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc.
Audit Committee Chair
c/o Robert K. Fulton, Esq.
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Any stockholder who wishes to send any other communications to the Board of Directors should also deliver such communications to the Secretary of the Fund at the address listed above. The Secretary is responsible for
11
determining, in consultation with other officers of the Fund, counsel, and other advisers as appropriate, which stockholder communications will be relayed to the Board.
Other Information
The Funds Annual Report containing financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2006 is available free of charge by writing to the Fund c/o Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc at the address listed on the front cover, or by calling toll-free 1-888-777-0102.
Please note that only one annual report or Proxy Statement may be delivered to two or more shareholders of the Fund who share an address, unless the Fund has received instructions to the contrary. To request a separate copy of these documents or to determine how to request a single copy if multiple copies of the document are received, shareholders should contact the Fund at the address and phone number set forth above.
Expenses of Proxy Solicitation
The costs of preparing, assembling and mailing material in connection with this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Fund. Proxies may also be solicited personally by officers of the Fund and by regular employees of SBAM or its affiliates, or other representatives of the Fund or by telephone, in addition to the use of mails. Brokerage houses, banks and other fiduciaries may be requested to forward proxy solicitation material to their principals to obtain authorization for the execution of proxies, and will be reimbursed by the Fund for such outof-pocket expenses.
Other Business
The Board of Directors of the Fund does not know of any other matter which may come before the Meeting. If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote the proxies in accordance with their judgment on that matter.
June 28, 2006
12
ANNEX A
AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF FEBRUARY 3, 2006
Establishment and Purpose
This document serves as the Charter for the Audit Committee (the Committee) of the Board of each registered investment company (the Fund) advised by Smith Barney Fund Management or Salomon Brothers Asset Management or one of their affiliates (each, an Adviser) listed on Appendix A hereto (each such Charter being a separate Charter). The primary purposes of the Committee are to (a) assist Board oversight of (i) the integrity of the Funds financial reporting, (ii) the Funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements (iii) the qualifications and independence of the Funds independent registered public accountants and (iv) the performance of the Funds internal audit function and independent registered public accountants; (b) approve, and recommend to the Independent Board Members (as such term is defined below) for their ratification, the selection, appointment, retention or termination of the Funds independent registered public accountants, as well as approving the compensation thereof; (c) approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to the Fund and certain other persons by the Funds independent registered public accountants; and (d) for each closed-end Fund, prepare the report required to be prepared by the Committee pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in the Funds annual Proxy Statement.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Funds independent registered public accountants are accountable to the Committee.
The Committee shall:
1. |
Bear direct responsibility
for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the Funds
independent registered public accountants, or of any other public accounting
firm engaged for the purpose of performing other audit, review or attest
services for the Fund. |
|
2. |
Confirm with any independent registered public accountants retained to provide audit services that the independent registered public accountants has ensured the appropriate rotation of the lead audit partner pursuant
to applicable regulations. |
|
3. |
Approve (a) all audit and permissible non-audit services1 to
be provided to the Fund and (b) all permissible non-audit services
to be provided by the Funds independent registered public accountants
to the Adviser and any Covered Service Providers if the engagement
relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.
The Committee may implement policies and procedures by which such services
are approved other than by the full Committee. |
|
1 |
The Committee shall not approve non-audit services
that the Committee believes may impair the independence of the independent registered
public accountants. As of the date of the approval of this Audit Committee
Charter, permissible non-audit services include any professional services (including
tax services), that are not prohibited services as described below, provided
to the Fund by the independent registered public accountants, other than those
provided to the Fund in connection with an audit or a review of the financial
statements of the Fund. Permissible non-audit services may not include: (i) bookkeep-
ing or other services related to the accounting records or financial statements
of the Fund; (ii) financial information systems design and implementation; (iii)
appraisal or valuation services, and fairness opinions; (iv) actuarial services;
(v) internal audit services; (vi) management functions; (vii) human resources;
(viii) broker or dealer; (ix) legal services; (x) expert services unrelated to
the audit; and (xi) any other service the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board determines, by regulation, is impermissible. |
A-1
4. |
Discuss with the independent registered public accountants any disclosed relationships or services that may diminish the objectivity and independence of the independent registered public accountants and, if so
determined by the Committee, recommend that the Board take appropriate action to ensure the independence of the independent registered public accountants. |
|
5. |
Review, in consultation
with the independent registered public accountants, the proposed scope
of the Funds audit each year, including the audit procedures to be utilized in the review of the Funds
financial statements. |
|
6. |
Inquire of the Adviser and the independent registered public accountants as to significant tax and accounting policies elected by the Fund (including matters affecting qualification under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code). |
|
7. |
Review with the independent
registered public accountants any problems or difficulties the registered
public accountants may have encountered during the conduct of the audit
and managements response, including a
discussion with the independent registered public accountants of the matters
required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61,
89, 90 or any subsequent Statement, relating to the conduct of the
audit. |
|
8. |
Review, in consultation,
as appropriate, with the independent registered public accountants
and significant Fund service providers, matters relating to internal
controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures
of the Fund and of the Funds significant service providers. |
|
9. |
Request, receive and/or
review from the independent registered public accountants such other
materials as deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee in the
exercise of its duties under this Charter; such materials may include,
without limitation, any other material written communications bearing
on the Funds financial statements, or internal or disclosure controls, between the independent registered public accountants and the Fund, the Adviser or other
Fund service providers, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences, and any comment or deficiency letter
(to the extent such letters relate to financial reporting) received from a
regulatory or self-regulatory organization addressed to the Fund or the Adviser
that relates to services rendered to the Fund. |
|
10. |
For each closed-end Fund, establish procedures regarding the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints that the Fund may receive regarding Fund accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters,
including procedures for the confidential or anonymous submission by Fund officers, employees, stockholders or service providers of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters related to the Fund. |
|
11. |
For each closed-end
Fund, obtain and review a report by the Funds independent registered public accountants describing (i) the auditing firms
internal quality-control procedures; (ii) any material issues raised
by the most recent internal quality-control review, or peer review,
of the auditing firm, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental
or professional authorities, within the preceding five |
|
Pre-approval by the
Committee of any permissible non-audit services is not required so
long as: (i) the aggregate amount of all such permissible non-audit
services provided to the Fund, the Adviser and any service providers
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser
that provide ongoing services to the Fund (Covered Service Providers)
constitutes not more than 5% of the total amount of revenues paid to
the independent registered public accountants during the fiscal year
in which the permissible non-audit services are provided to (a) the
Fund, (b) the Adviser and (c) any entity controlling, controlled by
or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services
to the Fund during the fiscal year in which the services are provided
that would have to be approved by the Committee; (ii) the permissible
non-audit services were not recognized by the Fund at the time of the
engagement to be non-audit services; and (iii) such services are promptly
brought to the attention of the Committee and approved by the Committee
(or its delegate(s)) prior to the completion of the audit. |
A-2
years, respecting one or
more independent audits carried out by the auditing firm, and any steps
taken to deal with any such issues; and (iii) (to assess the auditors
independence) all relationships between the independent registered public
accountants and the Fund. |
||
12. |
For each closed-end Fund, discuss policies with respect to risk assessment and risk management. |
|
13. |
For each closed-end
Fund, review hiring policies for employees or former employees of the
Funds independent registered public accountants. |
|
14. |
For each closed-end
Fund, discuss with management and the Funds independent registered public accountants the Funds audited and discuss with management the Funds unaudited financial statements,
including any narrative discussion by management concerning the Funds financial condition and investment performance and, if appropriate, recommend the publication of the Funds annual audited financial statements in the Funds
annual report in advance of the printing and publication of the annual report. |
|
15. |
For each closed-end
Fund, discuss the Funds earnings press releases, as well as financial
information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies; |
|
16. |
For each closed-end Fund, review and evaluate annually the performance of the Committee and the adequacy of this Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Charter to the Board for approval. |
The Committee shall have the resources and authority appropriate to discharge its responsibilities, including the authority to retain, as it deems necessary to carry out its duties, special counsel and other experts or consultants at the expense of the Fund. The Fund shall provide appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, for the Committee to carry out its duties and its responsibilities, including (a) for compensation to be paid to, or services to be provided by, the Funds independent registered public accountants or other public accounting firm providing audit, review or attest services for the Fund, (b) for payment of compensation to any outside legal, accounting or other advisors, counsel or consultants employed by the Committee and (c) for the ordinary administrative expenses of the Committee. In performing its duties, the Committee shall consult as it deems appropriate with the members of the Board, officers and employees of the Fund, the Adviser, the Funds sub-adviser(s), if any, the Funds counsel, counsel to the Independent Board Members and the Funds other service providers.
Composition
The Committee shall be composed of each Board member who has been determined not to be an interested person, as that term is defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), of the Fund (the Independent Board Members), or such lesser number as the Board of the Fund may specifically determine and reflect in the Boards minutes, each of whom shall be financially literate and at least one of whom shall have accounting or related financial management expertise as determined by the Funds Board in its business judgment. Each member of the Committee must also meet the independence and experience requirements as set forth in the New York Stock Exchanges Listed Company Manual or as set forth in the American Stock Exchanges listing standards, as applicable, and the independence requirements applicable to investment companies set forth in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For those Funds listed on the New York Stock Exchange, no member of the Committee may serve on the audit committees of more than three public companies, including the Funds, unless the Board determines that such simultaneous service would not impair the ability of such member to serve on the Committee effectively. The Committee shall elect a Chairperson, who shall preside over Committee meetings. The Chairperson shall serve for a term of three years, which term may be renewed from time to time.
A-3
Meetings
The Committee shall meet on a regular basis, but not less frequently than twice a year. Special meetings may also be held upon reasonable notice to the members of the Committee. An agenda shall be established for each meeting. The Committee may request any officer or employee of the Fund, the Funds counsel, counsel to the Independent Board Members, the Adviser, the Funds independent registered public accountants or other interested persons to attend a meeting of the Committee or to meet with any members of, or consultants to, the Committee. The Committee will meet periodically with the Funds independent registered public accountants outside the presence of the Funds and the Advisers officers and employees. The Committee will also meet periodically with the Funds management outside the presence of the Funds independent registered public accountants. Meetings of the Committee may be held in person, by telephone or by other appropriate means.
One-third of the Committees members, but not fewer than two members, shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting of the Committee, the decision of a majority of the members present and voting shall be determinative as to any matter submitted to a vote.
Reporting
The Chairperson shall report regularly to the Board on the result of the Committees deliberations and make such recommendations as deemed appropriate.
Limits on Role of Committee
The function of the Committee is oversight. The Funds management is responsible for (i) the preparation, presentation and integrity of the Funds financial statements, (ii) the maintenance of appropriate accounting and financial reporting principles and policies and (iii) the maintenance of internal controls and procedures designed to assure compliance with accounting standards and applicable laws and regulations. The independent registered public accountants are responsible for planning and carrying out proper audits and reviews. In fulfilling their responsibilities hereunder, it is recognized that members of the Committee are not employees of the Fund. As such, it is not the duty or responsibility of the Committee or its members to conduct field work or other types of auditing or accounting reviews or procedures or to set auditor independence standards. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to rely on (i) the integrity of those persons and organizations within and outside the Fund from which it receives information and (ii) the accuracy of the financial and other information provided to the Committee by such persons and organizations absent actual knowledge to the contrary (which shall be promptly reported to the Funds Board) and (iii) statements made by the officers and employees of the Fund, the Adviser or other third parties as to any information technology, internal audit and other non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accountants to the Fund. The designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert, within the meaning of the rules adopted and implemented under Section 407 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on that person than the responsibility and liability imposed on such person as a member of the Committee, nor does it decrease the duties and obligations of other Committee members or the Board.
In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committees policies and procedures shall be adapted, as appropriate, in order to best react to a changing environment.
Amendments
This Charter may be amended by a vote of a majority of the Board members.
A-4
Appendix A
Salomon Brothers Series Funds Inc
Salomon Brothers Institutional Series Funds Inc
Legg Mason Partners Variable Portfolios I, Inc.
Salomon Brothers Capital and Income Fund Inc. (SCD) *
Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Debt Fund Inc. (ESD) *
Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Floating Rate Fund Inc. (EFL) *
Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Income Fund Inc. (EMD) *
Salomon Brothers Emerging Markets Income Fund II Inc. (EDF) *
Salomon Brothers Global High Income Fund Inc. (EHI) *
Salomon Brothers Global Partners Income Fund Inc. (GDF) *
Salomon Brothers High Income Fund Inc. (HIF) *
Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (HIX) *
Salomon Brothers Inflation Management Fund Inc. (IMF) *
Salomon Brothers Municipal Partners Fund Inc. (MNP) *
Salomon Brothers Municipal Partners Fund II Inc. (MPT) *
Salomon Brothers Variable Rate Strategic Fund Inc. (GFY) *
Salomon Brothers Worldwide Income Fund Inc. (SBW) *
Salomon Brothers 2008 Worldwide Dollar Government Term Trust Inc. (SBG) *
* |
Closed-end Fund. The duties and responsibilities of paragraphs 10 through 16 and any other provision applicable exclusively to closed-end funds apply only to these funds. |
A-5
ANNEX B
NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHARTER
Organization
The Nominating Committee of each registered investment company listed on Appendix A hereto (each, a Fund and together, the Funds) shall be composed solely of Directors who are not interested persons of the Fund as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act) and, with respect to those Funds listed on the New York Stock Exchange, who are independent as defined in the New York Stock Exchange listing standards (Independent Directors). The Board of Directors of the Fund (the Board) shall nominate the members of the Committee and shall designate the Chairperson of the Committee. The Chairperson shall preside at each meeting of the Committee.
Responsibilities
The Committee shall select and nominate persons for election or appointment by the Board as Directors of the Fund.
Evaluation of Potential Nominees
In evaluating a person as a potential nominee to serve as a Director of the Fund, the Committee should consider among other factors it may deem relevant:
While the Committee is solely responsible for the selection and nomination of Directors, the Committee may consider nominees recommended by Fund stockholders as it deems appropriate. Stockholders who wish to recommend a nominee should send nominations to the Secretary of the Fund that include all information relating
B-1
to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the election of Directors. The recommendation must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated by the Board of Directors and to serve if elected by the stockholders.
Quorum
A majority of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the members of the Committee present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Committee.
Nomination of Directors
After a determination by the Committee that a person should be selected and nominated as a Director of the Fund, the Committee shall present its recommendation to the full Board for its consideration.
Meetings
The Committee may meet either on its own or in conjunction with meetings of the Board. Meetings of the Committee may be held in person, video conference or by conference telephone. The Committee may take action by unanimous written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Adopted: January 20, 2004
B-2
Appendix A
As of October 22, 2004
B-3
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
SALOMON BROTHERS
HIGH INCOME FUND II INC.
August 3, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. | ||
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x |
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" the following proposal: | |||||||
1. Election of Directors: Class ll to serve until the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. | 2. Any other business that may properly come before the Meeting. | ||||||
NOMINEES: | |||||||
FOR ALL NOMINEES | Leslie H. Gelb | The persons named as proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion on any other business that may properly come before the Meeting. | |||||
Dr. Riordan Roett | |||||||
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR ALL NOMINEES |
Please Complete, Sign and Date hereon and Mail in Accompanying Postpaid Envelope. | ||||||
FOR ALL EXCEPT (See instructions below) |
|||||||
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as shown here: ( ) |
|||||||
Please check the box to the right if you will be attending the Meeting. | |||||||
To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. | |||||||
Signature of Stockholder | Date: | Signature of Stockholder | Date: |
Note: | Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. | ||
SALOMON BROTHERS
HIGH INCOME FUND II INC.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints R. Jay Gerken, Robert I. Frenkel, Robert M. Nelson and William J. Renahan and each of them, attorneys and proxies for the undersigned, with full power of substitution and revocation to represent the undersigned and to vote on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Salomon Brothers High Income Fund II Inc. (the Fund) which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Fund to be held at 153 East 53rd Street, 14th Floor, New York, New York on August 3, 2006, at 3:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time and at any adjournments thereof. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Meeting and accompanying Proxy Statement and hereby instructs said attorneys and proxies to vote said shares as indicated hereon. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the Meeting. A majority of the proxies present and acting at the Meeting in person or by substitute (or, if only one shall be so present, then that one) shall have and may exercise all of the power and authority of said proxies hereunder. The undersigned hereby revokes any proxy previously given.
This proxy, if properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed by the stockholder. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees as director.
Please refer to the Proxy Statement for a discussion of the Proposal.
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
14475 |