[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 VALERO

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 5, 2008

  Mr. POE. Madam Speaker, on January 10, 1901 the world was introduced 
to the modern petroleum age. It was on this day in Jefferson County, 
Texas the Gladys City Oil, Gas, and Manufacturing Company discovered 
the largest oil reserve the world had ever seen. Ever since Jefferson 
County, Texas has been a leader in the oil and gas industry, fueling 
our nation's economy.
  This tradition of leadership continues today with the recent 
announcement of Valero's Port Arthur Refinery $2.4 billion expansion 
project.
  Valero will be expanding their Port Arthur Refinery, becoming the 2nd 
largest refinery in Jefferson County, which is home to some of the 
largest refineries in the nation. When construction is complete, it 
will produce 415,000 barrels of per day. The Port Arthur refinery 
production resume includes conventional, premium and reformulated 
gasoline before oxygenate blending, as well as diesel, jet fuel, 
petrochemicals, petroleum coke and sulfur. This project will generate 
an economic boost to Southeast Texas by bringing in 2,000 jobs.
  Valero is more that just an oil company, it is an active corporate 
citizen concerned about all aspects of the community where it resides. 
Both the corporation and employees alike are focused on the betterment 
of their community. With its 2007 pledge of $13 million to the United 
Way Campaign, Valero is the only company that has received United Way's 
highest national honor, the Spirit of America Award, twice.
  Valero also hosts the largest professional charity golf tournament in 
the country. The Valero Texas Open, which is an official PGA Tour 
event, and the associated Benefit for Children Golf Classic, which is 
Valero's own charity tournament, raised a record-breaking $8 million 
for charities. That is the largest contribution of any tournament in 
the PGA Tour's history.
  Employees give back both financially and through their time, last 
year employees donated 272,346 hours of time for countless community 
projects, including mentoring students, organizing fund-raisers, 
participating in clean-up events, volunteering at youth centers and 
much more.
  I am proud to commend Valero for its corporate citizenship and 
commitment to communities not only in Southeast Texas but across the 
nation.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________