SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 107

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Howard Parker and Joe Parsley, who have been named the recipients of the 2014 Top Hand Award by the Permian Basin Petroleum Association; and

WHEREAS, These two distinguished gentlemen founded the partnership of Parker and Parsley on the strength of a handshake in 1962; the company grew to become one of the foremost independent oil and gas operators in the country; today, following a 1997 merger with Mesa, Incorporated, the company is known as Pioneer Natural Resources and is now the nation's third-largest independent oil and gas operator; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parker is a World War II veteran and a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in geology; his family has been in the oil and gas industry for several generations, and he is known for his support of a wide range of civic and charitable organizations; he is currently a member of the Longhorn Foundation, the Austin Knights of the Symphony, and the Heritage Society of Austin; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Parsley earned a degree in petroleum engineering from The University of Texas at Austin; he worked for Marathon Oil Company and for the Forest Oil Corporation and Inca Drilling Company before joining forces with Mr. Parker to form Parker and Parsley; his extensive philanthropic work includes the creation of the Joe M. Parsley Scholarship Fund and the Joe M. Parsley Endowment in Excellence at The University of Texas at Austin College of Engineering; and

WHEREAS, Although Howard Parker and Joe Parsley sold their company in 1984, they have remained active in the oil and gas industry and have had a profound impact on the industry in our state; and it is truly fitting that they receive special recognition for their leadership in their field and for their many achievements; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby commend Howard Parker and Joe Parsley on their many contributions to the oil and gas industry and extend congratulations to them on their selection as the recipients of the 2014 Top Hand Award by the Permian Basin Petroleum Association; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in their honor and as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Seliger

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on February 9, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate