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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The distinguished career of a respected oilman is |
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being honored as Robert L. Parker of Tulsa, Oklahoma, is inducted |
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into the Petroleum Hall of Fame on April 26, 2007; and |
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WHEREAS, The Petroleum Hall of Fame, which is based at the |
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Petroleum Museum in Midland, recognizes individuals who have made |
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outstanding contributions to the development of the petroleum |
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industry or who have inspired others through their achievements, |
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service, or strength of character; and |
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WHEREAS, Born in Tulsa in 1923, Robert L. Parker is a |
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second-generation oil entrepreneur who received his first lessons |
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in the business from his father, Gifford C. Parker, the founder of |
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Parker Drilling; educated at The University of Texas, where he |
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earned a degree in petroleum engineering, Robert Parker served his |
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country in World War II and then returned home to join his father's |
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company; he learned the enterprise thoroughly by working as a |
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roustabout, driller, tool pusher, and safety director before being |
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named vice president and manager of operations in 1951; three years |
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later, he purchased the company; and |
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WHEREAS, Under his direction, Parker Drilling expanded its |
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international operations and became the first western company to |
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attain work contracts in China and the Soviet Union; Mr. Parker's |
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business also specialized in deep drilling, setting the record for |
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sinking the world's deepest well in the 1960s; in addition, the |
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company pioneered the use of helicopter-transportable rigs and has |
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been a leader in establishing wells in arctic environments and in |
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environmentally sensitive areas; Mr. Parker's reputation as a |
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technological leader was enhanced with the establishment of |
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Partech, a research and development, manufacturing, and service |
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center in North Texas, which was the home of the acclaimed Well |
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Control School; and |
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WHEREAS, A member of many professional organizations, |
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including the International Association of Drilling Contractors |
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and the American Petroleum Institute, Mr. Parker has been |
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recognized with prestigious awards such as the API Gold Medal and |
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the Distinguished Service Medal from the U.S. secretary of energy; |
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these commendations signify his immense stature in the industry, |
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and his significant accomplishments continue to have a lasting |
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impact on the practice of petroleum production; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate Robert L. Parker on his induction |
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into the Petroleum Hall of Fame and commend him for his |
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contributions to the oil and gas industry that is such a vital part |
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of the Texas economy; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Mr. Parker as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Craddick |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 780 was adopted by the House on March |
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28, 2007, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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