Gabelli Is Successful with Shareholder Proposals
Attacking Poison Pills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rye, NY
May 21, 2004
Contact:
Douglas R. Jamieson
Chief Operating Officer
(914) 921-5020
For further information visit our Website at: www.gabelli.com



Gabelli Asset Management Company is pleased to announce that its resolution supporting the elimination of the poison pill adopted by Standard Motor Products, Inc. (NYSE:SMP) was approved by a majority of the shareholders voting at its annual meeting held yesterday. Gabelli Asset Management is also pleased to announce that the preliminary voting results show that its resolution supporting the elimination of the Hector Communications, Inc.'s (Amex:HCT) poison pill was approved by a majority of the shareholders voting at its annual meeting also held yesterday. This marks the first year that these proposals were approved by the shareholders of Standard Motor Products and Hector Communications.

"Gabelli has long advocated corporate governance initiatives against poison pills. In addition to the victories yesterday, so far this year we have presented successful shareholder resolutions supporting the elimination of the poison pills at the annual meetings of BKF Capital Group, Inc., The Liberty Corporation, and Thomas Industries, Inc. We are encouraged by the strong support received from our fellow shareholders following our initiative. Our efforts have gathered steam over the past few years and we expect that more companies will eliminate their poison pills and focus on increasing shareholder value.

"As recent events demonstrate, it is time to bring checks and balances back into the boardrooms and the management suites of public companies. Poison pills upset the proper balance of power between shareholders and managements.

"We are delighted that we are victorious this year in our efforts to eliminate the poison pills of Standard Motor Products and Hector Communications. We are hopeful that the Boards of Directors will listen to the voice of their shareholders," said a representative of Gabelli.

Gabelli Asset Management Company, a subsidiary of Gabelli Asset Management Inc. (NYSE:GBL), provides investment management services to institutional and high net worth investors. Gabelli Asset Management Inc. has approximately $28 billion in assets under management.