[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 23, 2019)]
[House]
[Page H1001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SUPPORT THE OIL REGION NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA REAUTHORIZATION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, northwest Pennsylvania 
has a rich history and a vibrant, diverse economy. Its winding trails, 
beautiful landscapes, recreational experiences, 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 the same central 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 northwest Pennsylvania 
the energy powerhouse that it is today, but also sparked a cultural 
revolution that came as a result of a booming economy.
  We are tremendously proud of our history and heritage in northwest 
Pennsylvania. We still celebrate these historic communities that 
bloomed from Colonel Drake's innovative idea, 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 have introduced H.R. 
642, 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, 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 year, Congressman   Mike Kelly and I visited 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 had recently completed a full restoration of Ms. Tarbell's 
home, ensuring that it would be preserved for generations to come. This 
restoration was just one of many projects the ORA is working on, and my 
bill will allow these projects to continue 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 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 
community has had on American culture today. I urge my colleagues to 
cosponsor this legislation, which will directly impact northwestern 
Pennsylvanians and preserve a rich heritage for all Americans.

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