The oil & gas industry is known for its rich, colorful history. The Honorable Robert A. Mosbacher, Sr., former US Secretary of Commerce and founder and CEO of Mosbacher Energy Co., has been a part of that history. His role therein was duly noted at the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers’ Houston Legends luncheon held November 14 at the Petroleum Club of Houston. The luncheon was also an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the unique culture that has grown up around the oil industry in Houston. Perhaps Mosbacher himself captured it best with some of the first words he said once at the podium, after acknowledging family and friends in attendance, “I’d rather be lucky than smart; but when all is said and done, it’s family that counts.” Video-taped tributes from former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former President George H.W. Bush, and others who spoke, including former Ambassador to Qatar, Chase Untermeyer, emphasized Mosbacher’s exemplification of the Texas spirit of free enterprise, free trade, and public service. “Texas looms large,” said Untermeyer, “and so does Robert Mosbacher.” Originally from Mount Vernon, NY, Mosbacher moved to Texas and entered the oil business in 1947. In 1954, he is said to have found a million-dollar natural gas field in south Texas. Based largely on his long association with President George H.W. Bush he served as Secretary of Commerce from 1989 to 1992. Untermeyer said that as Commerce Secretary Mosbacher is best remembered for his work to promote free trade with Japan and in support of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement.) As for the oil business, Clarence P. Cazalot Jr., president and CEO, Marathon Oil Corp., noted that the secret of Mosbacher’s success was that “he didn’t fall in love with the geology, and he didn’t take undue risks.” Finally, Mosbacher himself summed up his viewpoint when he said, “In 60 years in the oil & gas business, we’ve had a lot of fun, made many friends, and made some money too, which isn’t such a bad thing. It couldn’t have happened anywhere but in the U.S. I was a big supporter of Senator John McCain in the recent presidential elections, but we have a new man now, and he is our president. And only in the US could such a momentous change have happened with peace and understanding.”