III 109th CONGRESS 1st Session S. RES. 159 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 26, 2005 Mr. Inhofe (for himself and Mr. Coburn) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to RESOLUTION Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and its members vital contribution to the oil and gas industry of the United States.

Whereas the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association was founded and incorporated in the State of Oklahoma on January 13, 1955; Whereas the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association was founded by independent oil and natural gas producers, and its membership is still comprised of independent producers, both large and small; Whereas the founders of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association possessed the leadership and vision to establish a unified voice for independent crude oil and natural gas producers; Whereas the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association is the largest oil and gas advocacy group in the State, representing over 1,500 member companies in the crude oil and natural gas exploration and production industry and affiliated businesses; Whereas the mission of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association is to enhance and protect the ability of independent oil and natural gas producers in Oklahoma to conduct their business and to ensure energy supply; Whereas the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association is a rarity in State oil and gas associations, with a full-time governmental affairs specialist and a full-time regulatory affairs specialist working with agencies that regulate the oil and gas industry; Whereas the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association is a proactive and diverse organization striving to provide a broad range of services to its members and the industry it supports; Whereas the leaders of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association have worked successfully on behalf of Oklahoma independent producers on State and national issues, advocating for State and national governmental policies that protect and enhance the ability of Oklahoma independent producers to do business; and Whereas the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association will continue to look toward the future by forging alliances within the oil and gas industry and with other organizations devoted to a more prosperous Oklahoma: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association; (2)congratulates the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association for its 50-year history of contributions to the oil and gas industry of Oklahoma and the United States; (3)recognizes that the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association has been and will continue to be an invaluable asset in developing and promoting the oil and gas industry in the United States; and (4)directs the Secretary of the Senate to transmit a copy of this resolution to the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association as an expression of appreciation and for public display at the 50th annual meeting of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association.