It's not at all surprising that former professor David Boren plans to resign his U.S. Senate seat later this year for a new challenge as University of Oklahoma president.
Boren, a Democrat, has represented Oklahoma-and the U.S. oil industry-since 1979.
In the Senate he chairs an energy and agricultural taxation subcommittee and last year used his finance committee seat to help defeat the Clinton administration's controversial BTU tax (OGJ, June 7, 1993, p. 23).
That did not endear him to the Clinton administration, but it increased his stature in Congress even more.
Boren recently orchestrated a coalition of 117 congressmen behind a package of legislative and regulatory initiatives to help the U.S. oil industry survive the crude oil price slump. That group has been waiting for a month for President Clinton to grant them an audience (OGJ, Mar. 28, p. 35).
PRAISE FROM INDUSTRY
Denise Bode, once an aide to Boren and now president of the Independent Petroleum Association of America, sounded the keynote in industry's accolades for her former boss. She said, "Sen. Boren has provided leadership in the Senate for over a decade in support of capital formation, education, small business, agriculture, and, of course, a strong domestic energy industry. If he were a football player, they would retire his numbers"
Nicholas Bush, Natural Gas Supply Association president, said the gas industry will miss the Oklahoma senator.
"Sen. Boren has helped the nation find solutions to complex energy issues," Bush said. "He has fostered policies that promote domestic energy exploration and production while ensuring reliable, long term energy supplies."
James Stafford, National Association of Royalty Owners president, said, "At present, there is no one of seniority in either the U.S. House or Senate to rival his influence or fill the void of his energy leadership.
"Boren's advantage is a coalition building ability that crosses political and geographical lines. He has impressive credibility in New England, where much antioil legislation has erupted, and with the national media on energy issues, both for his knowledge and statesmanship."
LOBBYISTS VIEW
A nuts and bolts Washington oil lobbyist, who has worked often with Boren on various issues, agreed.
He said Boren did more than anyone else to kill the BTU tax. "He held a key vote at a key time, and the way he cast it cost him his clout with the administration.
"A lot of senators are just noisemakers. They're predictable, they're out in front all the time, and they're not sought out when compromises must be cast.
"Boren was quiet and didn't put out hundreds of press releases. He has influence behind the scenes-where it counts."
