[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 24, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5341-S5342]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF SINCLAIR AND THE SINCLAIR REFINERY

  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the 100th 
anniversary of the town of Sinclair and the Sinclair Refinery in 
Sinclair, WY.
  The town of Sinclair is undeniably unique and filled with a rich 
history of rural industrialization. Located in Central Carbon County, 
Sinclair is home to 366 residents. Its residents are fortunate to live 
in the charming and quaint ``Oasis in the Desert.''
  Frank Kistler, the head of Producers and Refiners Corporation--P&R 
Co.--came to Wyoming in 1922 to find an area suitable for a refinery 
location. He chose a site close to the town of Rawlins, along both 
lanes of the Lincoln Highway. The ground was broken for the refinery in 
October 1922. The town was not yet established, so corporation 
officials lived in Rawlins. Workers resided in ``Rag Town,'' rundown 
tents and shacks on the south side of the Union Pacific train tracks. 
March 13, 1923, marked the first day of operation for the Producers and 
Refiners Corporation Refinery. News about the refinery spread 
throughout the region, and business started to boom.
  The land adjacent to the refinery was bought by P&R Co. in 1922-1923 
so it could be used as a townsite. The refinery post office began 
receiving letters using the initials P&R Co. This led to the name 
``Parco'' for the new town.
  In 1924, Frank Kistler hired Fisher and Fisher, a Denver 
architectural firm, to design the style and layout of the town. The 
result was a Spanish colonial revival style, with a central plaza and 
fountain commemorating Frank Kistler. Most of the original buildings 
remain standing today, illuminating the town's rich history and 
development.
  With the town established, a community began to form. People flocked 
to the Parco Inn, a bustling 60-room hotel spanning an entire block. 
The Parco Inn housed a dry cleaner, bar, cafe, clothing stores, and a 
barber shop. It was the main attraction for the booming town and 
remains an important relic today.
  Low crude oil prices during the Great Depression caused Frank 
Kistler's firm to sell the Parco holdings in 1934. The firm was 
purchased by Consolidated Oil--later Sinclair. The name Parco was 
changed to Sinclair in 1942. In 1967, the Sinclair Refining Company 
sold the townsite and buildings to local residents.
  During World War II, the oil market improved due to increased demand. 
The war efforts comprised 24 percent of the Sinclair Corporation's 
total business. As the oil industry constantly shifted over the years, 
Sinclair continued to adapt and evolve.
  The refinery is a cornerstone for the people in Sinclair and 
surrounding communities. Sinclair believes ``if you take care of your 
people, your people will take care of you.'' The corporation focuses on 
job and community prosperity, which can be seen by their support to the 
residents of Sinclair and Rawlins, WY.
  In 2022, the HF Sinclair Corporation was formed when Sinclair joined 
HollyFrontier Corporation. The Sinclair refinery is one of two operated 
in Wyoming by HF Sinclair.
  Serving the greater Rocky Mountain region, the Sinclair Refinery runs 
a mix of Canadian and United States sweet and sour crudes. They process 
94,000 barrels per day. The refinery site also contains a 10,000 
barrels per day renewable diesel unit. This unit participates in the 
Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program pathways in California and British 
Columbia.
  The Sinclair Refinery has 475 employees and an average of 350 
contractors. During ``turnarounds,'' there are over 3,000 contractors. 
Thank you to vice president and refinery manager Jim Ruble and his 
dedicated staff who keep this refinery in operation.
  The town of Sinclair is led by mayor Cullan Meeks, vice mayor 
Michelle Serres, clerk/treasurer Becky Slater, assistant treasurer Gina 
Helmetag, and council members Forest Ortiz, David Robinson, and Brennan 
Dunlap.
  On August 17, 2024, the town and refinery will celebrate this 
momentous occasion, They will commemorate their joint history with many 
festivities including a parade, lunch, a children's carnival, 
entertainment acts, and music bands. A fireworks display will close out 
the celebration.
  It is an honor for me to rise in recognition of this significant 
milestone. I applaud the workers and citizens who have worked 
tirelessly to contribute to the success of this booming oil town

[[Page S5342]]

and refinery. They should be proud to welcome this momentous 
accomplishment. Congratulations to the town of Sinclair and the 
Sinclair Refinery on their 100th anniversary.

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