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“HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF LLOYD FRANKLIN PITTS” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1691 on July 9, 2009.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF LLOYD FRANKLIN PITTS
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HON. RALPH M. HALL
of texas
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished and productive life of independent oilman Lloyd Franklin Pitts, a dear friend who passed away in March at the age of 98.
Born on October 7, 1910 to Addie Mae Sandifer and John Loyd Pitts in Wesson, Mississippi, Frank graduated from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi in 1930, and attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. In 1935, he married Mary Martha McCann of Brookhaven, Mississippi. Married for 58 years, she was Frank's companion, confidante and ``sweetheart.'' She died in 1993.
Recognized by his peers and the major trade organizations in the oil and gas industry for his leadership over 68 years, Frank began his business career in Chicago with Nu-Enamel Paint Company. He lived in Europe from 1934-37, where he opened paint stores throughout the Continent. His close observation of the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany engendered an intense patriotism and appreciation for the American democratic way of life. At the age of 29, he was elected President of the International Company. Involved in politics from an early age, he was Chairman of Young Democrats for Roosevelt in 1932, and campaigned in seven states on his behalf for President. He maintained a keen interest in current affairs throughout his life.
Frank appreciated his business associates at Pitts Oil Company, where he was actively involved until recently. An independent oil and natural gas producer for almost seven decades, Frank participated in the drilling of more than 3,000 wells in exploration for oil and natural gas. For 12 years, he was Chief Executive Officer of an international geophysical company. Frank was actively involved in a wide range of industry associations and political action groups. He served two terms as President of Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO). He was a member of the National Petroleum Council, an advisory group to the Secretary of the Department of Energy, and served under every Secretary since the inception of the Department in 1977. He served on the Natural Gas Committee of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). He was the 1978-1979 Chairman of the Industry Forum of the American Petroleum Institute. In 1984, Texas Governor Mark White appointed Frank to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, an organization headed by the governors of 29 oil and gas producing states, and continuously served under appointment of all the subsequent Texas Governors. In 1988, he became one of the first independent oilmen to serve on the Board of Directors of Gas Research Institute in Chicago, where he served for 10 years. He served as a Trustee of the Southwest Research Institute from 1989 to 2003, and was a founding Trustee of the American Gas Foundation. In 1991, Frank was selected to become a member of All-American Wildcatters.
The many honors awarded him by industry associates include the Chief Roughneck Award presented at the IPAA Annual Meeting in 1979; the 2001 Pioneer of the Year Award presented by the Texas Railroad Commission; the 1993 IPAA Karney Cochran Award to honor a lifetime of distinguished service to community, industry, and country; the 1989 Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners' highest honor, the Mr. TIPRO Award; the 1998 Texas Oil & Gas Association's Distinguished Service Award; American Association of Petroleum Landmen's Distinguished Service Award and Special Award for Industry Leadership; and the 1996 Southwestern Legal Foundation's John Rogers Award. In 2006, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission presented him with the Warwick Downing Award, and on April 25th, Frank was honored with the 2009 Hero of Industry Award presented by the National Stripper Well Association. As a dynamic spokesman for the energy industry in the United States, he was a frequent expert witness and conferee in Washington with members of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and Executive leadership concerned with oil and natural gas policy. Frank was also active with state government leaders in Austin. In 2003, the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers named Frank as a Legend Award recipient and he was recognized by Governor Rick Perry.
While he was an activist in his industry, Frank also made time for involvement in a significant number of community organizations. He helped found the Dallas Council on World Affairs (now the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth) and served as Chairman of the Board and Chairman Emeritus. In 1994 he received the Council's H. Neil Mallon Award for Distinguished Civic Service. He also helped in the formation of the Dallas Opera, serving on various committees and remained a Trustee. He worked with the Baylor University Medical Foundation, serving as Chairman of the Board and a member of the Executive Committee. Frank was a member and past President of Park Cities Rotary Club, a member of Dallas Citizens Council and a lifetime Deacon of Park Cities Baptist Church, where he was a member for 60 years. Copiah-
Lincoln Community College honored him as Alumnus of the Year in 1973, and again in 2003, with the Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award. At SMU, where he was a member of the Board of Advisors of the Maguire Energy Institute, he established four endowed Presidential Scholarships, a Scholars Fund and an endowed lecture series in oil and gas.
Known as ``Papa'' by his family, his wisdom, discipline, perseverance and judgment have been a source of inspiration and guidance in each of their lives. Lloyd is survived by his daughter, Linda, and her husband, William A. Custard, three grandchildren: W. Allen Custard III and his wife, Mason, Martha E. Custard, Laura Custard Hurt and her husband, G. Ellison Hurt III, and four great-grandchildren, all of Dallas; a brother, Troy N. Pitts of Wesson, Mississippi, a sister-in-law, Ida M. Olson of Alexandria, Virginia, a cousin, Dr. Charles L. Lloyd, Jr. and his wife, Sandy, of Dallas and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Martha, young son, Lloyd Franklin Pitts, Jr., his great-grandson, Elijah Christian Noel Hurt, and his brother, Shelby D. Pitts, of Dallas.
I count it an honor to have been friends with this great public servant and his wonderful family. What our world needs today are a few more Lloyd Franklin Pitts. Please join me as we honor his memory and celebrate his 98 years of life.
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