The typical pattern in American history is that when things are going well, we welcome immigrants. When they're going badly, we tell them to stay away.

332

Always it's been a net positive for the city over the long haul. This has always been a city where nobody asks how long you've been here and who's your daddy, but if you've got a good idea and we can make money together, then let's talk.

254

Lay was the great hero of Houston. He was the kind of civic leader who led the business community to all kinds of major investment in the city that might not otherwise have happened.

243

Anglos are in the midst of watching a demographic change occur. The future is a non-Anglo future. It's not surprising that immigration has become a symbol. The issue is much more symbolic than it is real. It isn't clear what the state can do, in terms of controlling borders.

229

This view is the single most powerful predicator of people's attitudes toward gay rights in general and shows a growing comfort with human diversity in general.

206

People are very proud of the first phase, when Houston opened its doors. I've never had a question where there's been 97 percent agreement. That's real, and that's a reflection of a remarkable month and a half when Houston poured its heart out.

203

Ken Lay was one of the genuine heroes of Houston, and Enron was one of the shining beacons of the city. There is still a residual of deep anger, betrayal, a sense of outrage over Enron, which is stronger in Houston than anywhere in the country.

152

Support for equal rights for gays and lesbians, while still far from overwhelming, increased significantly during the 1990s and appears likely to continue to expand slowly but surely.

96

There has been a significant shift in the support for gay rights here. There's a growing sense that homosexuality is part of the normal human variation.

92