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Whereas, in 1859 Edwin Drake was the first person in the world to apply well drilling technology to produce significant quantities of crude petroleum at Titusville, PA; and,
Whereas, it is an important but little known fact that Samuel Kier of Pittsburgh was the first person to refine crude oil by distillation, five years earlier than Drake's discovery, in about 1854; and,
Whereas, in 1861 Charles Lockhart built the first commercial scale oil refinery in Pittsburgh's Highland Park neighborhood. That plant was put to use to refine crude oil produced at Titusville. Lockhart became a prominent citizen of East Liberty and a generous philanthropist; and,
Whereas, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the drilling of the Drake well, the American Chemical Society presented a National Historical Chemical Landmark award at Titusville on Thursday, August 27, 2009 and another commemorating Samuel Kier's work at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh on Wednesday August, 26; and,
Whereas, today's extensive worldwide petroleum industry is a direct outgrowth of the efforts of Drake, Kier and Lockhart, first demonstrated here in Western Pennsylvania; and,
Whereas, the idea for the historic landmark recognition came from Highland Park resident and American Chemical Society member, Alfred Mann;
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Now, Therefore Be It Resolved, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby recognize and commemorate the achievements of these innovative and entrepreneurial western Pennsylvanians; and,
Be It Further Resolved, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh commends Mr. Alfred Mann of Highland Park for celebrating this important part of our region's history.