Houston Hurt By Loss of Enron Philanthropy
Instructor Discussion Notes
Discussion Notes
1.
Answers will vary. Some students may not object to Andrew Fastow being able to
safeguard his income by building a new home that is protected by Texas’s
homestead law. Others may believe that the law was intended to protect average
citizens from literally becoming homeless and was not intended to allow people
like Fastow to avoid financial responsibilities by putting millions into a mansion.
2.
Answers will vary. Enron was one of the largest philanthropists in Houston, but
now the money is gone, and Houston has to deal with the loss of millions in
Enron donations. While most cities do rely on corporate generosity to help fund
large projects to improve community life, there can be a danger in relying too
heavily on any one large donor. Communities would be wise to cultivate
philanthropic relationships with many smaller donors than to be left emptyhanded
when a huge contributor like Enron collapses.
3.
Answers will vary. Have students name streets, buildings, or stadiums in your city
that are named for corporate donors. Just as a number of cities have had to rename
streets or buildings after the namesake has done something embarrassing or
criminal, the owners of the Houston Astros, have now removed every reference to
Enron Field from the team’s home field.