[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 402 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 402

Recognizing the historical significance of the discovery of oil and the 
 birth of the petroleum and natural gas industries on the banks of Oil 
  Creek, Venango County, near Titusville, Pennsylvania on August 27, 
1859, and designating the year 2009 as the ``Sesquicentennial of Oil''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 31, 2008

    Mr. Peterson of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent 
  resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the historical significance of the discovery of oil and the 
 birth of the petroleum and natural gas industries on the banks of Oil 
  Creek, Venango County, near Titusville, Pennsylvania on August 27, 
1859, and designating the year 2009 as the ``Sesquicentennial of Oil''.

Whereas, on August 27, 1859, ``Colonel'' Edwin L. Drake drilled the world's 
        first commercial oil well along the bank of Oil Creek, Venango County, 
        near Titusville, Pennsylvania, striking oil at 69\1/2\ feet;
Whereas the world's modern Oil and Gas industries were thus born, resulting in 
        oil booms, technological and business innovations, environmental 
        challenges, and population shifts;
Whereas Americans became the pioneers of the world's oil industry, creating the 
        first oil tank car, oil pipeline, methods of refining oil, new products 
        for illumination and lubrication and other industry innovations;
Whereas the entrepreneurial spirit fostered by the discovery of oil in 
        Pennsylvania led to the development of major industries across the 
        Nation, making petroleum a lynchpin of modern industry and finance;
Whereas the development of petroleum and petroleum-based products from 
        transportation fuels to modern pharmaceuticals have helped make the 
        world as we know it possible;
Whereas the concurrent development of the natural gas industry has improved the 
        daily lives of citizens around the world;
Whereas everyday Americans use oil-based products like gasoline, medicine, 
        plastic, cosmetics and others to enhance their daily lives;
Whereas oil continues to play a vital role in the Nation's energy economy, 
        providing employment and careers for thousands of Americans;
Whereas approximately 1.8 billion barrels of crude oil are produced annually in 
        31 of the nation's 50 States, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, 
        Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, 
        Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 
        Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, 
        Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West 
        Virginia, and Wyoming;
Whereas 146 refineries operate in 33 States, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkasas, 
        California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, 
        Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, 
        Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, 
        Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West 
        Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming;
Whereas everyday hundreds of oil museums and oil-related historic sites across 
        the country celebrate 150 years of American ingenuity and innovation;
Whereas, in 2004, the United States Congress designated a 708-square mile area 
        in northwest Pennsylvania as the Oil Region National Heritage Area;
Whereas the 150th anniversary of Drake Well provides Americans the opportunity 
        to discuss our Nation's oil legacy and the complex issues of energy use 
        and consumption that we face today; and
Whereas the recognition of the year of 2009 as the sesquicentennial of the birth 
        of the oil and natural gas industries will reaffirm our understanding of 
        the significance of the discovery made near Titusville, Venango County, 
        Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) recognizes the significance of the discovery of oil in 
        Pennsylvania in 1859;
            (2) requests that the President issue a proclamation 
        recognizing the ``Sesquicentennial of Oil'' and the 
        accomplishments of the petroleum and natural gas industries; 
        and
            (3) encourages residents of all ages to explore the facts 
        of oil history and the legacy this commodity and all its 
        products, innovations, and challenges represent.
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