[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E621-E622]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INDEPENDENT OIL PRODUCERS' 
                                 AGENCY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th 
anniversary of the Independent Oil Producers' Agency IOPA, which IOPA 
will be celebrating on April 30. Specifically, I want to congratulate 
them for all that they have accomplished and to wish them well as they 
begin their second century.
  Many people do not realize the incredible amount of oil and natural 
gas production in the State of California and particularly Kern County, 
which I represent. The magnitude of California's production is apparent 
when one considers that in 2002, California's 210 active fields and 
47,135 wells produced 289.5 million barrels of oil, more than every 
state but Louisiana, Texas, and Alaska. It is also apparent when one 
considers that over 26.8 billion barrels of oil have been extracted 
from California wells and that California's estimated oil reserves are 
3.7 billion barrels. In addition, in 2002, California's 1,232 natural 
gas wells produced 366 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 
California's cumulative natural gas production is 37.1 trillion cubic 
feet. It is hardly an overstatement to say that California's energy 
production has been and is vital to the American economy.
  However, none of this incredible production would have been realized 
without the hard

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work, ingenuity, dedication, and sacrifice of the men and women of 
IOPA. IOPA was formed in 1904, in the wake of the discovery of vast 
amounts of crude oil and natural gas beneath the rugged terrain of the 
southern San Joaquin Valley, including Kern County. IOPA was formed to 
ensure that smaller producers, many of them families, received a fair 
market price for the oil they produced, as can be seen in its mission 
statement: ``It is the mission of the Independent Oil Producers'' 
Agency to secure equitable prices for its members' crude oil and to 
serve these members at the government, business, and industry levels in 
matters relating to advocacy, legislative, and regulatory affairs.''
  Utilizing the proven powers of a cooperative marketing agency, IOPA 
has succeeded in achieving its objective. During the past century, as 
it served its members, IOPA has also served our nation by providing a 
steady domestic source of oil during wars, shortages, and embargos. It 
is also important to note, and I appreciate the fact that, IOPA and its 
members have given back to the community by supporting youth 
activities, education, scholarships, museums, and hospitals. 
Accordingly, I trust that my colleagues will join me in congratulating 
IOPA upon their 100th anniversary.

                          ____________________