July 31, 2017 The Honorable Greg Abbott Governor of the State of Texas State Capitol Room 2S.1 1100 Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 Dear Governor Abbott, Texas has worked for decades to establish its reputation as a great place to do business. Through smart, pro-growth public policy, the state has succeeded, and our business environment is the envy of states across the country. In addition to our economic success, Texas has become well-known for its excellent quality of life and our welcoming, inclusive spirit – attributes that have helped draw talented individuals to the state from across the nation and around the globe. As members of Houston’s business community, we write to express our concern with the proposed “bathroom bill” being considered in this special legislative session. We support diversity and inclusion, and we believe that any such bill risks harming Texas’ reputation and impacting the state’s economic growth and ability to create new jobs. Innovative companies are driven by their people, and winning the talent recruitment battle is key. Any bill that harms our ability to attract top talent to Houston will inhibit our growth and continued success – and ultimately the success of our great state. We appreciate your leadership in Texas and urge you avoid any actions, including the passage of any “bathroom bill,” that would threaten our continued growth. Sincerely, Houston Business Leaders Jeff Shellebarger Marc Watts President Vice Chair Chevron North America E&P Greater Houston Partnership Chair, Greater Houston Partnership Bob Harvey President and CEO Greater Houston Partnership Blake Pounds Managing Director, Houston Accenture Thomas Perich Chairman Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP Steve Stephens CEO Amegy Bank Eduardo Aguirre Chairman and CEO Atlantic Partners Group LLC Andrew Baker Managing Partner Baker Botts LLP Manolo Sanchez Chairman BBVA Compass Steve Pastor President, Petroleum BHP Billiton Petroleum Alan Thomson Senior Partner and Managing Director The Boston Consulting Group John Mingé Chairman and President BP America Patrick C. Oxford Chairman Bracewell LLP Thad Hill President and CEO Calpine Corporation Ric Campo Chairman and CEO Camden Property Trust David McClanahan Retired President and CEO CenterPoint Energy Tony Chase Chairman and CEO ChaseSource Ryan Lance Chairman and CEO ConocoPhillips George A. DeMontrond, III President DeMontrond Automotive Group Earl Shipp Vice President, Gulf Coast Operations The Dow Chemical Company Deborah Byers Houston Office Managing Partner Ernst & Young LLP Linda DuCharme President ExxonMobil Global Services Company Charles C. Foster Chairman Foster LLP Paul Hobby Founding Partner Genesis Park LP Daniel M. Gilbane President – Gilbane Southwest Gilbane Building Company Deborah Cannon Former Chair Greater Houston Partnership Earl Hesterberg President and CEO Group 1 Automotive Welcome Wilson, Sr. Chairman GSL Welcome Group Jeffery A. Miller President and CEO Halliburton Lynne Liberato Partner Haynes and Boone LLP Jim Postl President James Postl Interests Dan Bellow President – Houston JLL David Taylor Managing Partner – Houston Locke Lord 2 Gina Luna CEO Luna Strategies Wayne McConnell Managing Partner McConnell & Jones LLP Carrin Patman Board Chair METRO Board of Directors Kenneth Guidry President PKF Texas Massey Villarreal President and CEO Precision Task Group Inc Duke Austin, Jr. President, CEO and COO Quanta Services David Leebron President Rice University Andy Waite Co-President SCF Partners Tom Ryan Chairman and CEO Service Corporation International Bruce Culpepper President Shell Oil Company Lisa Davis CEO Global Energy Member of the Managing Board Siemens AG John Nau President and CEO Silver Eagle Distributors LP Donna Sims-Wilson President Smith Graham & Company Dave Dunlap President and CEO Superior Energy Services Fernando Assing President and CEO Tesco Corporation Fred Zeidman Treasurer and CFO Texas Heart Institute Kevin Roberts President, Southwest Transwestern Bobby Tudor Chairman Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co. Anna M. Babin President and CEO United Way of Greater Houston Mark Kelly Chairman Vinson & Elkins LLP Laura Bellows President and Chairman W. S. Bellows Construction Corporation Denis C. Braham Attorney at Law Winstead PC Cc: Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick Speaker Joe Straus Members of the Texas House of Representatives 3