Columbus, Ohio—The Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) received today the resignation of Mr. David Harker, an elected Trustee who represents active firefighters on the OP&F Board. The resignation will take effect immediately (a copy of the resignation letter is attached).

Ohio law provides for the elected members of the Board to appoint a successor for the remainder of Mr. Harker's term, which expires in June 2004. The Board will consider the issue at its next meeting, which is scheduled for September 30, 2003.

OP&F's Board of Trustees consists of six elected members representing police officers and firefighters (two active police officers, two active firefighters, one retired police officer and one retired firefighter), as well as the Ohio Attorney General, the Ohio Auditor of State, and a fiscal officer of an Ohio municipal corporation appointed by the Governor.

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Contact: Dave Graham (614) 628-8396, dgraham@op-f.org

September 16, 2003

Board of Trustees
Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund 140 East Town Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215

Dear Fellow Board Members:

After hours of personal struggle and reflection, and because I want the important work of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund to continue, I respectfully resign my position as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund effective immediately.

In leaving, I reflect proudly on my service to Ohio's police officers and firefighters that has included:

Serving as a member of the OP&F Board since June of 1996, during which time I have served on various committees and as chairman from 1999-2000 and most recently since June 2003.
Converting during my first chairmanship to a full Board Investment Committee that created investment strategies and a regular asset allocation review process that have kept our fund strong (now $8.2 billion in total assets) during challenging economic times.
Helping to create the Disability Evaluation Panel (DEP) in July 1997, which serves as a best practices model for retirement systems throughout the country for handling the process of disability evaluation.
Playing a role in the creation of a major new benefit for Ohio's police officers and firefighters, the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP), which allows members to accumulate additional money for retirement while continuing to work.
Supporting OP&F's HOST (Helping Our Survivors in Transition) Program to ensure smoother processing of benefit payments and health care benefits for the surviving spouse when a member dies.
Working to create a non-profit organization to establish a Memorial Park for Ohio's fallen police officers and firefighters on the existing grounds adjoining OP&F's headquarters in Columbus.

I believe in public service and it's my strong hope that you and others to come will continue with strong service to Ohio's police officers and firefighters in the future. You can count on my support in your roles, which I know from experience are often difficult.

Sincerely

David

David K. Harker