H.R. No. 1353
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Hughes Christensen Company is commemorating the
100th anniversary of its origins in 2009, making this a fitting
occasion to celebrate its important role in the history of the
petroleum industry and of Texas; and
WHEREAS, Founder Howard Robard Hughes, Sr., came to Texas
from Iowa in 1902, seeking his fortune in the booming Texas
oilfields; in 1906, he invented the two-cone rotary drill bit,
which made it easier to drill through rock; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Hughes patented the revolutionary invention in
1909 and cofounded the Sharp-Hughes Tool Company, which later
became the Hughes Tool Company; two Hughes engineers created the
tri-cone bit in 1933, and it quickly became the most widely used
drill bit in the oil industry; when Mr. Hughes died, his son, Howard
Hughes, Jr., inherited the company, along with the fortune that
would make him one of the richest and most famous men of his era;
though Howard Hughes, Jr., had little involvement in the company,
it would continue to advance research and development of oil
drilling technology for the next 50 years; and
WHEREAS, In the 1940s, Frank and George Christensen pioneered
the diamond drill bit, and together they founded Christensen
Diamond Products; like Hughes Tool, Christensen was an important
innovator in the field, introducing the first polycrystalline
diamond compact (PDC) drill bit in 1972; and
WHEREAS, In the early 1990s, Hughes Tool, now part of Baker
Hughes, merged with Christensen to become Hughes Christensen, and
this dynamic and innovative company is a respected leader in the
design and manufacture of diamond and tri-cone drilling technology
today; and
WHEREAS, Now headquartered in The Woodlands under the
leadership of its president, Gary Rich, Hughes Christensen is both
one of the largest employers in its community and a company of
global reach, boasting a rich history and the promise of a bright
future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby congratulate the Hughes Christensen Company on
its 100th anniversary and extend to its employees sincere best
wishes for continued success; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Hughes Christensen as an expression of high regard by
the Texas House of Representatives.
Eissler
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 1353 was adopted by the House on April
27, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House