[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 72 (Thursday, May 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6064-S6065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the Senate now proceed to the 
consideration of S. Res. 159, submitted earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 159) 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.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, today I rise in support of this resolution 
recognizing the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association on its 50th 
anniversary and also recognizing its members' vital contribution to the 
oil and gas industry of the United States.
  The Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association--OIPA--was founded by 
Roy Woods on January 13, 1955. Roy Woods and other founders possessed 
the leadership and vision to establish a unified voice for independent 
crude oil and natural gas producers.
  The founders were independent oil and natural gas producers, and its 
membership still comprises independents, both large and small.
  OIPA is my State's largest oil and gas advocacy group, representing 
over 1,500 member companies in the crude oil and natural gas 
exploration/production industry, as well as affiliated businesses. OIPA 
is also a member of the Independent Petroleum Association of America.
  OIPA's mission is to enhance and protect the ability of Oklahoma's 
independent oil and natural gas producers to conduct their business and 
to ensure a strong energy supply.
  OIPA is a proactive and diverse organization striving to provide a 
broad range of services to its members and the industry it supports.
  OIPA has 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 Oklahoma 
independent producers' ability to do business.
  Most recently, I have worked with OIPA in the introduction of the 
Natural Gas Production Act of 2005--S. 926, which I introduced, that 
would extend section 29 to include natural gas produced from depths 
below 15,000 feet. This bill is strongly supported by OIPA members and 
I thank them for their support.
  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.
  I am introducing this resolution as an expression of my appreciation. 
I congratulate the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association for its 
50-year history and its contributions to the oil and gas industry in 
Oklahoma and the United States.
  Mr. FRIST. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid on the table 
en bloc, and any statements relating to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 159) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 159

       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

[[Page S6065]]

     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
       Resolved, 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.

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