[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 102 (Thursday, July 9, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF LLOYD FRANKLIN PITTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 9, 2009

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
distinguished and productive life of independent oilman Lloyd Franklin 
Pitts, a dear friend who passed away in March at the age of 98.
  Born on October 7, 1910 to Addie Mae Sandifer and John Loyd Pitts in 
Wesson, Mississippi, Frank graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community 
College in Wesson, Mississippi in 1930, and attended Northwestern 
University in Evanston, Illinois. In 1935, he married Mary Martha 
McCann of Brookhaven, Mississippi. Married for 58 years, she was 
Frank's companion, confidante and ``sweetheart.'' She died in 1993.
  Recognized by his peers and the major trade organizations in the oil 
and gas industry for his leadership over 68 years, Frank began his 
business career in Chicago with Nu-Enamel Paint Company. He lived in 
Europe from 1934-37, where he opened paint stores throughout the 
Continent. His close observation of the rise of fascism in Italy and 
Germany engendered an intense patriotism and appreciation for the 
American democratic way of life. At the age of 29, he was elected 
President of the International Company. Involved in politics from an 
early age, he was Chairman of Young Democrats for Roosevelt in 1932, 
and campaigned in seven states on his behalf for President. He 
maintained a keen interest in current affairs throughout his life.
  Frank appreciated his business associates at Pitts Oil Company, where 
he was actively involved until recently. An independent oil and natural 
gas producer for almost seven decades, Frank participated in the 
drilling of more than 3,000 wells in exploration for oil and natural 
gas. For 12 years, he was Chief Executive Officer of an international 
geophysical company. Frank was actively involved in a wide range of 
industry associations and political action groups. He served two terms 
as President of Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners 
Association (TIPRO). He was a member of the National Petroleum Council, 
an advisory group to the Secretary of the Department of Energy, and 
served under every Secretary since the inception of the Department in 
1977. He served on the Natural Gas Committee of the Independent 
Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). He was the 1978-1979 Chairman 
of the Industry Forum of the American Petroleum Institute. In 1984, 
Texas Governor Mark White appointed Frank to the Interstate Oil and Gas 
Compact Commission, an organization headed by the governors of 29 oil 
and gas producing states, and continuously served under appointment of 
all the subsequent Texas Governors. In 1988, he became one of the first 
independent oilmen to serve on the Board of Directors of Gas Research 
Institute in Chicago, where he served for 10 years. He served as a 
Trustee of the Southwest Research Institute from 1989 to 2003, and was 
a founding Trustee of the American Gas Foundation. In 1991, Frank was 
selected to become a member of All-American Wildcatters.
  The many honors awarded him by industry associates include the Chief 
Roughneck Award presented at the IPAA Annual Meeting in 1979; the 2001 
Pioneer of the Year Award presented by the Texas Railroad Commission; 
the 1993 IPAA Karney Cochran Award to honor a lifetime of distinguished 
service to community, industry, and country; the 1989 Texas Independent 
Producers and Royalty Owners' highest honor, the Mr. TIPRO Award; the 
1998 Texas Oil & Gas Association's Distinguished Service Award; 
American Association of Petroleum Landmen's Distinguished Service Award 
and Special Award for Industry Leadership; and the 1996 Southwestern 
Legal Foundation's John Rogers Award. In 2006, the Interstate Oil and 
Gas Compact Commission presented him with the Warwick Downing Award, 
and on April 25th, Frank was honored with the 2009 Hero of Industry 
Award presented by the National Stripper Well Association. As a dynamic 
spokesman for the energy industry in the United States, he was a 
frequent expert witness and conferee in Washington with members of the 
Senate, the House of Representatives, and Executive leadership 
concerned with oil and natural gas policy. Frank was also active with 
state government leaders in Austin. In 2003, the Texas Alliance of 
Energy Producers named Frank as a Legend Award recipient and he was 
recognized by Governor Rick Perry.
  While he was an activist in his industry, Frank also made time for 
involvement in a significant number of community organizations. He 
helped found the Dallas Council on World Affairs (now the World Affairs 
Council of Dallas/Fort Worth) and served as Chairman of the Board and 
Chairman Emeritus. In 1994 he received the Council's H. Neil Mallon 
Award for Distinguished Civic Service. He also helped in the formation 
of the Dallas Opera, serving on various committees and remained a 
Trustee. He worked with the Baylor University Medical Foundation, 
serving as Chairman of the Board and a member of the Executive 
Committee. Frank was a member and past President of Park Cities Rotary 
Club, a member of Dallas Citizens Council and a lifetime Deacon of Park 
Cities Baptist Church, where he was a member for 60 years. Copiah-
Lincoln Community College honored him as Alumnus of the Year in 1973, 
and again in 2003, with the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award. At 
SMU, where he was a member of the Board of Advisors of the Maguire 
Energy Institute, he established four endowed Presidential 
Scholarships, a Scholars Fund and an endowed lecture series in oil and 
gas.
  Known as ``Papa'' by his family, his wisdom, discipline, perseverance 
and judgment have been a source of inspiration and guidance in each of 
their lives. Lloyd is survived by his daughter, Linda, and her husband, 
William A. Custard, three grandchildren: W. Allen Custard III and his 
wife, Mason, Martha E. Custard, Laura Custard Hurt and her husband, G. 
Ellison Hurt III, and four great-grandchildren, all of Dallas; a 
brother, Troy N. Pitts of Wesson, Mississippi, a sister-in-law, Ida M. 
Olson of Alexandria, Virginia, a cousin, Dr. Charles L. Lloyd, Jr. and 
his wife, Sandy, of Dallas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He 
was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Martha, young son, 
Lloyd Franklin Pitts, Jr., his great-grandson, Elijah Christian Noel 
Hurt, and his brother, Shelby D. Pitts, of Dallas.
  I count it an honor to have been friends with this great public 
servant and his wonderful family. What our world needs today are a few 
more Lloyd Franklin Pitts. Please join me as we honor his memory and 
celebrate his 98 years of life.

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