Message-ID: <27560365.1075840232491.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 03:15:00 -0700 (PDT) From: meredith.philipp@enron.com To: kenneth.lay@enron.com Subject: Arena Response Cc: tori.wells@enron.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ANSI_X3.4-1968 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Bcc: tori.wells@enron.com X-From: Meredith Philipp X-To: Kenneth Lay X-cc: Tori L Wells X-bcc: X-Folder: \Kenneth_Lay_Dec2000\Notes Folders\Discussion threads X-Origin: LAY-K X-FileName: klay.nsf Dear Mr. Galvan, Thank you for your recent letter concerning my support of a new basketball= =20 arena in Downtown Houston. I believe that the responsibilities of my=20 position at one of the world=01,s leading companies extend far beyond day t= o day=20 business- I take a leading role in the communities where my employees live= =20 and work. =20 I agree that corporate stewardship is essential in our community. At Enron,= =20 we are aware of the underserved populations in our neighborhoods, which is= =20 why each year we give back one percent of our earnings to charitable causes= .=20 As we have grown, so have these donations. Enron=01,s community investments= =20 include supporting programs that promote cultural diversity, educational=20 programming and scholarships, and assisting those struggling to rebuild the= ir=20 lives.=20 Three years ago, Houstonians took the initiative to keep the Houston Astros= =20 in town by passing a baseball stadium referendum that sparked the=20 revitalization of our downtown district. A new downtown basketball arena to= =20 house our hometown Houston Rockets and Comets would amplify our current=20 efforts.=20 Houston has a vibrant, attractive, central business district that is=20 recognized globally. A basketball arena is of key importance for the=20 continuing revitalization of downtown Houston, for keeping the Rockets and= =20 Comets in town, and for retaining an exceptional workforce in our world cla= ss=20 city. We must not allow our city to lose its competitive advantage on or of= f=20 the court.=20 Enron has more than 6,500 employees who work and live in Houston and we all= =20 take great pride in this city and its success. We plan to stay in Houston= =20 for a long time, and it is essential that the Houston Rockets and Comets ma= ke=20 Houston their home, too. Downtown now has a new feeling and a new level of= =20 excitement and Houston cannot afford to stop the momentum. Sincerely, Ken Lay