[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 148 (Thursday, September 6, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H7876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SUPPORT OIL REGION NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, northwest Pennsylvania has 
a rich history and vibrant, diverse economy. Its winding trails, 
beautiful landscapes, recreational and educational opportunities, and 
thriving communities make Venango and Crawford Counties especially 
captivating places to live, to work, and to visit.
  Many of these attractions are centered around one common theme, the 
world's first commercial oil well. Colonel Drake successfully drilled 
this well in 1859, triggering the first oil boom and establishing the 
oil region as ``the valley that changed the world.''
  His efforts not only made northwestern Pennsylvania the energy 
powerhouse that it is today, but it also sparked a cultural revolution 
that came as a result of the booming economy.
  We are tremendously proud of our history and heritage in northwest 
Pennsylvania. We still celebrate these communities that bloomed from 
Colonel Drake's innovative idea today, and Drake Well continues to have 
a tangible impact on the area's economy.
  In 2004, Congress designated the region as a national heritage area. 
There are only 49 of these areas across the country that are designated 
as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to 
form a cohesive, nationally important landscape.
  The Oil Region National Heritage Area was the Nation's 25th national 
heritage area, and it celebrates the birth of the petroleum industry.
  The region is honored to have this important designation, but without 
action, it will sunset next year. That is why I introduced the Oil 
Region National Heritage Area Reauthorization Act.
  The heritage area's coordinating entity, the Oil Region Alliance of 
Business, Industry, and Tourism, has taken a grassroots, community-
driven approach to heritage, conservation, and economic development.
  Through public-private partnerships, national heritage area entities 
support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, 
recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects. These 
partnerships foster pride of place and an enduring stewardship ethic.
  The Oil Region Alliance focuses on heritage development, economic 
development, and tourism destination marketing. All three of these 
areas have been successful, and, from 2005 to 2015, the ORA has been 
able to invest more than $6.8 million in heritage development projects, 
invest more than $6.7 million in economic development activities, and 
attract nearly 240,000 visitors annually. They have done an excellent 
job using innovative methods to stimulate the local economy, using a 
mixture of both Federal and private funds.

  Last month, I was with my colleague Congressman  Mike Kelly at the 
home of the legendary investigative journalist Ida Tarbell. Born in 
Pennsylvania at the onset of the oil boom, Tarbell is best known for 
her 1904 book, ``The History of the Standard Oil Company.''
  The ORA recently completed a full restoration of Ms. Tarbell's home, 
ensuring that it would be preserved for generations to come.
  Congressman Kelly and I announced the Oil Region National Heritage 
Area Reauthorization Act at the Tarbell House as an example of why this 
designation is important. Our bill would extend Federal funding 
authorization of our heritage area through 2026.
  Extending this funding is crucial for the ORA to continue its mission 
of preserving the Oil Region's history, stimulating the local economy, 
and allowing others to appreciate the beauty and the culture of Venango 
and Crawford Counties.
  The ORA's efforts give us the ability to appreciate the rich history 
of northwestern Pennsylvania and understand the impact that our 
communities have had on American culture today. While the Tarbell home 
restoration is just one of the ORA's projects, they have completed 
countless other projects to support our communities, educate the 
public, and help local businesses grow and thrive.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this legislation, which will 
directly impact northwestern Pennsylvanians and preserve our rich 
heritage for all Americans.

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