[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H8814-H8815]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1030
              THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PETROLEUM MUSEUM

  (Mr. COMBEST asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 20th 
anniversary of the petroleum museum in Midland, TX. This nonprofit 
educational and technical museum highlighting the exciting story of the 
oil and gas industry was opened by President Gerald Ford on September 
13, 1975. It has grown to be one of the top tourist attractions for the 
Permian Basin and the entire State of Texas.
  As one who has toured the museum myself, I was greatly impressed and 
I would highly recommend a tour for anyone who will be visiting the 
Permian Basin of Texas and would like to uncover the history of this 
oil-rich region. The idea for a petroleum museum began in the 1950's 
and it became a reality through the hard work, dedication, and 
generosity of the Permian Basin's business and petroleum leaders. 
Through the past 20 years, many changes have taken place at the museum 
including an additional wing, educational programs, exhibits, 
acquisitions of artifacts, archival material, and books.
  Countless numbers of schoolchildren and adults have toured the museum 
learning more about the gasoline that fuels your car to the energy that 
runs your home. Its fascinating exhibits range from the life-size 
murals of the hearty men and women who tamed the 

[[Page H 8815]]
Permian Basin oil patch to the outdoor exhibit which consists of the 
world's largest collection of the antique drilling and production 
equipment. I congratulate the petroleum museum staff and volunteers on 
20 wonderful years and look forward to their second 20 so our children 
and our children's children may continue to discover and explore the 
inspiring story of the domestic oil and gas industry. In my 10 years in 
Congress, I have worked consistently to make sure that evidence of the 
domestic oil and gas industry should not be found only in museums.


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