H.C.R. No. 81 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Paul L. Morris is being inducted into the Petroleum Hall of Fame on April 29, 2021; and WHEREAS, Headquartered at the Petroleum Museum in Midland, the Petroleum Hall of Fame honors professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the petroleum industry and those who have set worthy examples of exemplary service, good character, and high achievement; and WHEREAS, Paul Morris was raised in West Virginia and began his career with Hope Natural Gas while attending the University of Cincinnati; after graduation, he joined Columbia Gas System Service Corporation; he worked in Delaware and became manager of Columbia LNG Corporation in 1976; a subsequent promotion to vice president of exploration and production took him to Houston; and WHEREAS, In 1981, Mr. Morris relocated to Midland for a new position as chief executive officer of Banner Energy; he was hired by Wagner and Brown in 1988, and he became chief executive officer six years later; under his leadership, the company completed nearly 600 wells across Texas and Oklahoma and in the United Kingdom and Australia; and WHEREAS, Mr. Morris co-founded Elk River Resources in 2013; he served as CEO until 2019, when he stepped into his current role as senior advisor to the board; and WHEREAS, A longtime leader in his field, Paul Morris has distinguished himself in the Lone Star State and beyond through his vision, expertise, and business acumen, and he is indeed deserving of this prestigious honor; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 87th Legislature of the State of Texas hereby congratulate Paul L. Morris on his induction into the Petroleum Hall of Fame and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Morris as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Craddick ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 81 was adopted by the House on April 9, 2021, by a non-record vote. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 81 was adopted by the Senate on April 12, 2021, by a viva-voce vote. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: __________________ Date __________________ Governor