IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 402 

Recognizing the historical significance of the discovery of oil and the birth 

of the petroleum and natural gas industries on the banks of Oil Creek, 

Venango County, near Titusville, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859, 

and designating the year 2009 as the ‘‘Sesquicentennial of Oil’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 31, 2008 

Mr. PETERSON of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the historical significance of the discovery of 

oil and the birth of the petroleum and natural gas industries on the banks of Oil Creek, Venango County, near 

Titusville, Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859, and designating the year 2009 as the ‘‘Sesquicentennial of Oil’’. 

Whereas, on August 27, 1859, ‘‘Colonel’’ Edwin L. Drake 

drilled the world’s first commercial oil well along the 

bank of Oil Creek, Venango County, near Titusville, 

Pennsylvania, striking oil at 691⁄2 feet; 

Whereas the world’s modern Oil and Gas industries were thus 

born, resulting in oil booms, technological and business 

innovations, environmental challenges, and population 

shifts; 


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Whereas Americans became the pioneers of the world’s oil industry, creating the first oil tank car, oil pipeline, methods of refining oil, new products for illumination and lubrication and other industry innovations; 

Whereas the entrepreneurial spirit fostered by the discovery 

of oil in Pennsylvania led to the development of major industries across the Nation, making petroleum a lynchpin 

of modern industry and finance; 

Whereas the development of petroleum and petroleum-based 

products from transportation fuels to modern pharmaceuticals have helped make the world as we know it possible; 

Whereas the concurrent development of the natural gas industry has improved the daily lives of citizens around the 

world; 

Whereas everyday Americans use oil-based products like gasoline, medicine, plastic, cosmetics and others to enhance 

their daily lives; 

Whereas oil continues to play a vital role in the Nation’s energy economy, providing employment and careers for 

thousands of Americans; 

Whereas approximately 1.8 billion barrels of crude oil are 

produced annually in 31 of the nation’s 50 States, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, 

Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming; 


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Whereas 146 refineries operate in 33 States, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkasas, California, Colorado, Delaware, 

Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, 

Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, 

Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, 

and Wyoming; 

Whereas everyday hundreds of oil museums and oil-related 

historic sites across the country celebrate 150 years of 

American ingenuity and innovation; 

Whereas, in 2004, the United States Congress designated a 

708-square mile area in northwest Pennsylvania as the 

Oil Region National Heritage Area; 

Whereas the 150th anniversary of Drake Well provides Americans the opportunity to discuss our Nation’s oil legacy 

and the complex issues of energy use and consumption 

that we face today; and 

Whereas the recognition of the year of 2009 as the sesquicentennial of the birth of the oil and natural gas industries will reaffirm our understanding of the significance 

of the discovery made near Titusville, Venango County, 

Pennsylvania on August 27, 1859: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) recognizes the significance of the discovery 

4 of oil in Pennsylvania in 1859; 

5 (2) requests that the President issue a procla6 mation recognizing the ‘‘Sesquicentennial of Oil’’ 


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1 and the accomplishments of the petroleum and nat2 ural gas industries; and 

3 (3) encourages residents of all ages to explore 

4 the facts of oil history and the legacy this com5 modity and all its products, innovations, and chal6 lenges represent. 

Æ 


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