SUMMARY OF THE MEETING 2000
The 80th annual meeting of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists was held in La Paz, Baja California Sur (BCS), Mexico from 14--20 June 2000, in conjunction with the 16th annual meeting of the American Elasmobranch Society (AES), the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Herpetologists (CAH), the 48th annual meeting of the Herpetologists' League (HL), the annual meeting of the Neotropical Ichthyological Association (NIA), and the 43rd annual meeting of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR). The meeting was hosted by the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (UABCS). The Local Committee was chaired by Dr. Carlos Villavicencio Garayzar.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING, 14 JUNE 2000
The meeting of the ASIH Board of Governors was called to order by President Harry W. Greene at 1608 h in the Conquistador Room of the Los Arcos Hotel in La Paz, BCS, Mexico. Fifty governors were in attendance as indicated by the responses on the signature sheets provided. President Greene then announced the tragic and untimely death of ASIH Secretary Robert Karl Johnson who passed away on 11 May 2000. Brooks Burr was appointed interim secretary by President Greene as provided for in the ASIH Constitution.
Four late reports not previously distributed to the governors, that of the Southeastern Division, the Representative to AAAS, the Representative to SPNCH, and that of the Herpetological Information Coordinator, were distributed. All reports for the BOFG meeting will be on the web in the near future as the transition from Charleston to Miami is completed (http://www.asih.org).
Interim Secretary Burr read the list of the 15 governors who had sent regrets: Bill Anderson, Jan Caldwell, Dan Cohen, Bob Gatten, Dave Greenfield, Amy McCune, Phil Pister, Harvey Pough, Andrew Price, Dick Robins, Dick Rosenblatt, Scott Schaefer, Meg Stewart, Susan Walls, and Kentwood Wells.
President Greene called for a motion to approve the Minutes of the 1999 BOFG meetings as published in Copeia 2000(1):324-329. The motion was made, seconded and approved without opposition.
President Greene then announced three appointments to the Resolutions Committee: Steve Beaupre (Chair), Bruce Thompson, and Marlis Douglas. All Stoye and Storer Award judges had also been appointed, but as always announcement of their names was to be withheld until the banquet.
FUTURE ANNUAL MEETINGS
Bob Cashner reported to the BOFG about future meeting sties. The meeting in 2001 will be held at Pennsylvania State University (5--11 July 2001) with Jay Stauffer as local host. The meeting in 2002 is planned for Kansas City, Missouri, from 3--8 July. Hotel rooms in Kansas City will be in the range of $80+/night for a single, double, triple, or quad. The Westin Crown Center, site of the meeting, ishighly accessible to a new science museum, a zoo, art museum, water park, shopping centers, and other attractions. Possible meeting sites in the future include the University of California at San Diego in 2003 and the University of Oklahoma in 2004. Other inquiries have been received for 2005 and 2006. Bob Cashner then received a hand of gratitude for his time spent planning the 2002 meeting in Kansas City.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Interim Secretary Burr then announced a number of items of discussion and decision that had arisen before the Executive Committee (EXEC) but which were not dealt with elsewhere in the agenda for the BOFG meeting.
First, a candidate for Secretary of ASIH, Maureen A. Donnelly, has been asked to serve by President Greene and thankfully she has agreed to stand in nomination.
Second, Treasurer Page was asked to locate an ASIH webmaster to keep the Society's committee assignments and other business up-to-date. The web pages probably need a permanent site or perhaps a virtual site (i.e., www.asih.org; note added in preparation, the ASIH website may be accessed at http://www.asih.org) that can be revised by future secretaries wherever they may be located geographically.
Third, the BOFG was asked to consider a dues increase of $10 for regular members and $5 for students to help defray costs of web page maintenance, program planning, and meeting management, all of which are relatively new expenses for the Society. The Society's dues have been held constant for 8 years and we lag behind the other vertebrate societies in membership fees.
Fourth, President Greene will charge the Student Awards Committee to prepare a detailed set of guidelines and procedures for student awards. The expectation is that a report of recommendations will be available for the Penn State meetings.
Fifth, the Executive Committee strongly recommends that ASIH re-join AIBS at an annual cost of $300. This recommendation was made into a formal motion, seconded, and passed by the BOFG.
Sixth, the EXEC strongly recommends that ASIH take the necessary action required to publish Copeia in electronic format. The BOFG was queried whether they favor on-line publishing of Copeia with a minimal cost to the Society of $10,000/annually. There was a strong show of hands of governors in favor EXEC obtaining information on electronic publishing. Al Savitzky was called on to describe the possibility of electronic publishing through AIBS. Once the Society joins AIBS it can become part of a consortium under the name of BioOne, a non- profit organization dedicated to putting journals produced by Allen Press in electronic format. As expected, this topic generated considerable discussion from both Board and non-Board members. The primary motivation to produce Copeia in electronic format is exposure of Copeia to a much wider audience. Major concerns expressed by the EXEC and the Board related to potential loss of members and their dues, loss of institutional subscriptions, future publishing rights, and the cost of actually making the journal available electronically. Al pointed outthat BioOne has a web site (http://www.bioone.org/) that open and honestly deals with numerous FAQs. All BOFG members were asked to visit this site and read the FAQs. It was then moved that EXEC present to the BOFG the details of an electronic publishing proposal for their approval and before any action is taken by the EXEC. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Seventh, EXEC moved to replace the Time, Place, and Program Committee with two new interacting committees: The Program Planning Committee and the Meeting Management Committee. These will be new standing committees. The motion passed.
Eighth, EXEC moved that the Fitch Award Committee become a standing committee and will follow the Gibbs Award Committee with regard to procedure and election of members. The motion was passed by the BOFG.
Ninth, creating new standing committees requires a change in the By-Laws which will be done with the Board's approval either through electronic voting or at the Penn State Meetings in 2001.
Tenth, EXEC received a request for funds in the amount of $5,000 to support curation/maintenance of the P.P. Shirsov collection of oceanic fishes and decided that it was a worthy cause, but felt that the Society would have no oversight of the money and that the project was beyond the purview of normal Society business. Bill Eschmeyer asked to make some remarks regarding this issue because he was the individual asked by his Russian colleagues to solicit curation funds. Because the Society has significant monies available in its general fund, the consensus among some BOFG members is that we should use the money to support various worthy causes that further the disciplines of ichthyology and herpetology. After lengthy discussion, Governor Collette moved that ASIH commit $1,000 from the general fund to support curation of the P.P. Shirsov type collection. The motion was seconded and passed. President Greene then stated that he would charge the Long Range Planning and Policy Committee to make recommendations tot he BOFG regarding ways the general fund might be utilized in the future.
Eleventh, EXEC moved that ASIH "seed" the Fitch Award fund with $5,000 from the general fund (to be added to the principal). The motion passed.
REPORTS TO THE BOARD
President Greene called for a motion of blanket approval of all reports to the BOFG except any that had been removed by the EXEC and any others that any individual Governor might wish to exclude for discussion. Three reports (those from the Treasurer, Joint ASIH/AFS Common and Scientific Names of Fishes Committee, and the Special Publications Committee) were exempted by request of governors. Acceptance of all other reports was moved, seconded, and unanimously approved.
President Greene recognized Governor Carter Gilbert who queried the Treasurer's report, in particular, what will ASIH do with the considerable monies in the general fund. Treasurer Page pointed out that the Endowment Committee was seeking a professional manager for their fund and that money will probably be moved into established awards and other fund categories recommended by theprofessional management team that is selected. The Treasurer's report was then approved by the BOFG.
President Greene recognized Governor Helfman regarding the report of the Joint ASIH/AFS Common and Scientific Names of Fishes Committee. Helfman inquired about capitalization of common names of fishes. Joe Nelson, chair of the Names Committee responded that it was the recommendation of his committee that all words in the common names of fishes begin with a capital letter and be treated as proper names. The bird societies have been doing this for years. How this change will affect the editorial policy of Copeia will be decided at a later date. That decision will be made at a later date. The report was approved.
The last report to be exempted was that of the Special Publications committee. Tim Berra, Chair of the committee, introduced Minow Jascha from the FAO. Mr. Jascha proceeded to thank ASI_H for its support in the amount of $45,000 to revise the FAO species identification guides for fishes and turtles of the Western Central Atlantic. Most manuscripts have now been received including several by ASIH members. Mr. Jascha brought an examination copy of the family Haemulidae to pass around the audience for inspection. The guides should be finished in 2001 and 1000 copies will be given to ASIH to sell to the membership. The report was approved.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President Greene then called for items of Old Business. None being offered, Greene then asked for items of New Business. There being none, he stated that there was a growing frustration and ennui from Past Presidents about the Past- Presidential addresses. He noted that the EXEC suggested that the Past President be given the privilege of inviting someone to present a special address and be given Society funds to cover the meeting costs of the invitee. Governors Wiley and Collette were bewildered by this idea and then proceeded to present their highly biased views on presidential addresses with the main idea that peak volume will cover up an otherwise boring presentation. President Greene then announced that he was not particularly in favor of changing tradition and accepted the presidency of ASIH for the sole purpose of being able to address his colleagues in a future Plenary session! This statement seemed to please the vociferous governors who appeared to have finally worn themselves out!
President Greene then notified the Board that there would be a tribute and eulogy for Bob Johnson at the Plenary session, and that a fund had been established in Bob's name at his home institution in Charleston, South Carolina.
Next followed election of a new member to serve a three-year term on the Robert H. Gibbs, Jr. Memorial Award Committee. Of the three candidates proposed by the Nominating Committee of ASIH (NOMC), William D. Anderson of the University of Charleston, was elected.
Next followed possible nominations for the Year 2001 NominatingCommittee. There being none, Governor Savage moved that the nominations be closed. The motion was seconded and passed. Election of the Nominating Committee takes place at the Annual Business meeting.
There being no further business to be brought before the board, the meeting was adjourned at 1750 h.
(minutes recorded and written by Interim-Secretary Brooks Burr, edited by Interim- Secretary Maureen Donnelly)
TECHNICAL SESSIONS
Abstracts and titles of all papers and posters presented in La Paz are available on the Web (http://www.uabcs.mx/asih/abstracts.htm and http://www.uabcs.mx/asih/psp.htm).
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING, 19 JUNE 2000.
The meeting was called to order at 1727 h by President Greene in the Loreto Meeting Room, of the Hotel Araiza Inn Palmira, La Paz, B.C.S., Mexico. President Greene introduced the substitute-interim secretary Maureen Donnelly.
President Greene called for a motion to approve the minutes of the annual Business Meeting held 29 July 1999 at Penn State University. These minutes were published in Copeia 2000 (1): 324-339 and on the web (http://www.utexas.edu/depts/asih/meetings/2000/Penn99.pdf or Penn 99.html). Bruce Collette moved to approve the minutes, Marvalee Wake seconded the motion which passed unanimously.
Substitute-interim Secretary Donnelly read the summary minutes of the Board of Governors meeting. President Greene called for a motion to approve the minutes, which were approved unanimously.
President Greene called for announcement from the floor, there being none, President Greene called on Resolutions Chair Steve Beaupre to read substantive resolutions which are reproduced below. After discussion of these resolutions, all were approved.
SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION FOR ROBERT KARL JOHNSON.--WHEREAS Robert Karl Johnson was an active member of the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists for over 25 years, and
WHEREAS Robert Karl Johnson served the Society in a variety of capacities including Managing Editor of its journal, Copeia, Governor, Secretary, and member of its Executive Committee, and
WHEREAS Robert Karl Johnson, in his capacity as Chair of the Long Range Planning Committee, compiled the Society's first Procedures Manual, a extraordinary document that has proven invaluable to the officers of the Society andto the Society's many committees, and
WHEREAS Robert Karl Johnson actively encouraged, supported, and strengthened the links between ASIH and its sister herpetological societies, the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, and the Herpetologists' League, and
WHEREAS members of these societies mourn his loss as a facilitator, scholar, colleague, and friend,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT we extend to his bereaved family the sympathy of our members and the sense of loss they feel in the untimely death of our esteemed colleague.
RESOLUTION OF WELL-WISHES.--WHEREAS the health of some of our esteemed colleagues prevents them from being here with us,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT we send our sincerest regards to Eugenia Bohlke, Terry Greenfield, Jim Tyler, Robert Rush Miller, and their families.
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE UPR FISH COLLECTION.--WHEREAS, the University of Puerto Rico (Mayaguez Campus) has maintained an ichthyological collection at its laboratory at La Paguera for more than forty years, and
WHEREAS in 1995 this collection contained a total of 33,676 specimens (including paratypes of 19 species) in 3,398 catalogued and 2,227 uncatalogued lots representing a total of 500 species (Poss and Collette, Copeia 1995), and
WHEREAS biodiversity of Caribbean fishes is an active area of ichthyological research and this collection is largely based on material from Puerto Rico, the Virgin islands, and other Caribbean islands, and
WHEREAS material from this collection has been cited in numerous ichthyological publications, and
WHEREAS sometime within the last two decades, while the collection curator was on sabbatical, the air conditioning unit in the collection room was turned off resulting in a massive growth of fungus, which created a serious health hazard, and
WHEREAS subsequent to the removal of the fungus, the specimens, which had been arranged by families, were placed on the shelves in random order, making searches for individual specimens or groups of specimens extremely difficult if not impossible, and
WHEREAS researchers attempting to use the collection, have placed an alarming number of jars containing dried or rotten specimens on the top shelves, exacerbating the state of deterioration of the collection,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urges that the scientific value of the University of Puerto Rico ichthyological collection be pointed out to the President of the University of Puerto Rico, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the ASIH recommends that the University of Puerto Rico take steps to either 1) restore the collection so it is a useful resource, or 2) transfer it to an institution willing to properly care for it, in which case, a catalogue showing both the old and new numbers should be madeavailable either as a hard-copy publication or an electronic database.
RESOLUTION OF CHETUMAL.--WHEREAS there is strong evidence showing that amphibian populations have declined worldwide, and
WHEREAS these declines are the result of many factors, including but not limited to climatic change, habitat alteration, diseases, and toxins, and
WHEREAS Latin America is a megadiverse region with high levels of endemism among amphibians, and
WHEREAS in the last ten years we have witnessed the decline in abundance of many species in the region, and
WHEREAS information about the status of amphibians in most Latin American countries is minimal or non-existent, and
WHEREAS amphibians are important components of ecosystems by being part of the food chain both as predators and prey, especially in their control of insect populations that might otherwise become pests, and
WHEREAS amphibians are excellent bioindicators that demonstrate the health of the ecosystems where they occur, and
WHEREAS amphibians have important cultural, economic, social, scientific,
and educational value for Latin America, and
WHEREAS the need to conserve amphibians requires international coordination and optimization of resources, and
WHEREAS there is a need to study populations both in sites where declines have been reported and where declines have not been reported, and
WHEREAS more economic assistance is needed to support the study of
declining amphibian populations,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH call attention to the need for inventories and monitoring of amphibians to understand their population dynamics and to understand the relationship between the health of these vertebrates and that of the environments where they live, and for emergency programs of in situ and ex situ conservation, including development of a germplasm bank of threatened species, and for an international network to interchange information among all sectors of society but especially communicators, educators, academics, business people, and decision makers through bulletins, conferences, brochures, and
scientific reports, and for developmental plans, environmental plans, and especially management plans for protected areas that include amphibian monitoring as a tool for guiding decisions, and for funding institutions to consider funding long-term monitoring studies, and for restriction of natural habitat modification and promotion of restoration ecology programs.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the ASIH commits itself to develop monitoring studies to understand population dynamics and conservation status of amphibian species, generate relevant and up-to-date information to use as a basis for decisions about natural resource use and sustainable development, and share information and experiences to facilitate the establishment of a network in Latin America.
RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE FOR LISTING THE ALABAMA STURGEON.--WHEREAS the Alabama Sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus suttkusi Williams and Clemmer 1991 has been reduced to 15% of its historic range due to channel modification and construction of dams, and
WHEREAS fewer than 10 individuals have been captured over the last 15
years, and
WHEREAS the taxonomic status of the species Scaphirhynchus suttkusi relative to the shovelnose sturgeon S. platorhynchus was validated by Mayden and Kuhajda, Copeia 1996, and the species is recognized by the ichthyological community in a previous resolution by ASIH in 1995 and in over 10 recent scientific publications,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH commends the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for using the best available scientific information in listing the Alabama sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus suttkusi, as an endangered species as of May 2000. We also commend the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for their efforts towards the protection and conservation of this species.
RESOLUTION PROTECTING NATIVE MOLLUSCAN BIODIVERSITY: ELIMINATION OF THE NONINDIGENOUS BLACK CARP, MYLOPHARYNGODON PICEUS (RICHARDSON, 1846).--WHEREAS, the black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus (Richardson, 1846), a large mollusk-eating fish from Asia has been intentionally brought into the United States and the Midwest as a possible control for zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha); and
WHEREAS many nonindigenous aquatic species eventually escape or are
intentionally introduced into our streams and lakes; and
WHEREAS the introduction and proliferation of black carp has the
potential for severely altering aquatic ecosystems; and
WHEREAS North American streams and lakes are the home to the most diverse freshwater molluscan fauna in the world, many of which are threatened with
extinction; and
WHEREAS to prevent said extinction, it is imperative that propagation of the exotic black carp be prohibited to prevent intentional release or escape into North American waters;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ASIH, in conjunction with the American Fisheries Society, urge all state, provincial, and federal governments and the natural resources agencies under their charge to take immediate steps to eliminate all existing populations of the black carp now in North America, and prohibit any additional importation; and further to develop scientifically-based policies, procedures, protocols, and regulations to prevent the importation, introduction, and international transfer of other such exotics.
RESOLUTION IN RECOGNITION OF THE IUCN GEORGE RABB INTERNSHIP.--WHEREAS George Rabb, Director of the Brookfield Zoo, has served for many years as the ASIH representative to the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature, and
WHEREAS George has recently stepped down after seven years as Chair of the critically important and influential IUCN Species Survival Commission, the body that produces the international Red List of endangered species, and
WHEREAS during George's tenure, SSC's list of contributing experts has grown from 2,400 to 7,000 individuals who helped redevelop improved, objective criteria for assigning species to various categories of risk, and
WHEREAS George has particularly encouraged and supported young scientists to focus on, in IUCN's words, "Lesser Known Creatures", and
WHEREAS in recognition of George's contributions, IUCN has established a
"George Rabb IUCN/SSC Internship" with a targeted endowment of $200,000
that will support the activities of a graduate student engaged in relevant
studies.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ASIH does (1) hereby thank and
congratulate George for his efforts and accomplishments on behalf of lesser
known creatures, and (2) commend IUCN for establishing the George Rabb
Internship in his honor.
ASIH RESOLUTION ON TRANSGENIC SALMON.--WHEREAS current research indicates the presence of reduced fitness and abnormalities in salmon into which non-salmonid genes have been inserted (transgenic salmon), and
WHEREAS a high incidence of escape of cage-reared salmonids is well
documented and,
WHEREAS salmonids that are altered to contain extra copies of growth hormone genes and other genes are a threat to natural populations through genetic pollution, leading to depressed fitness, and
WHEREAS transgenic salmon also represent potential predators and
competitors with negative effects on native fishes, many of which are
threatened or endangered,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists petitions the United States Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and appropriate state agencies, as well as Canadian Federal and Provincial agencies, to establish a system for oversight and responsibility to regulate development of transgenic fishes. The American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists strongly favors a moratorium on creation or marketing of transgenic salmonids until it is firmly established that such fish will not gain access to natural waters, by accident or intent.
BE IT ALSO RESOLVED THAT we recognize clearly problems of world hunger and the need to work toward solutions to food shortages, but evidence indicates that transgenic salmonids are neither an effective nor ecologically safe solution to these problems. Therefore, we also suggest that adequate research funds be directed toward sustainability of aquatic ecosystems as an investment toward solution to these problems.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING PROTECTION OF THE PACIFIC POPULATIONOF LEATHERBACK TURTLES.--WHEREAS the Leatherback Turtle, Dermochelys coriacea, is the sole living member of the Family Dermochelyidae and exhibits numerous features unique among living turtles, and
WHEREAS recent publications have reported alarming and precipitous declines in the Pacific population of Leatherback Turtles, with an estimated loss of at least 23% of the adult population annually, and
WHEREAS the decline in the Pacific population of Leatherback Turtles has been linked to changes in fisheries practices in the Pacific Ocean, including the longline and gill-net fisheries,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists urge all responsible industries, authorities, and governments to take immediate action to reverse the observed population trends and to ensure the continued survival of the Pacific population of Leatherback Turtles.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
President Greene then moved to the election of ASIH officers, including the President-elect, other officers, Copeia editors, new members of the Board of Governors, and the Nominating Committee. The slate of nominees as provided by the Nominating Committee will be available on the website. Nominations from the floor were invited, there being none, Deanna Stouder moved that nominations be closed. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Results of the elections were announced at the Banquet but are listed here [an asterisk (*) denotes reelection of an incumbent officer]: President-elect: David C. Cannatella; Secretary: Maureen A. Donnelly, Treasurer: Margaret A. Neighbors; Editor: Michael E. Douglas*; General Ichthyology Editor: Scott A. Schaefer*; General Herpetology Editor: Craig Guyer, Ecology and Ethology Editor: W. Linn Montgomery*; Genetics, Development, and Morphology Editor: John McEachran*; Physiology and Physiological Ecology Editor: Robert E. Gatten*; Index Coeditors: Subject, Frances Cashner*, Taxonomic Index, James W. Orr*; Book Review Editors: Herpetology, Kentwood D. Wells*, Ichthyology, William D. Anderson; Board of Governors, Class of 2005: Herpetology, Edmund D. Brodie III, Brian I. Crother, David Cundall, Tod W. Reeder, Dawn S. Wilson; Ichthyology, Anthony A. Echelle, Karsten E. Hartel, John G. Lundberg, Richard L. Mayden, Melanie L.J. Stiassny; Nominating Committee: Ex officio, Robert C. Cashner; Continuing Member and Chair, Kirk Winemiller; Ichthyology, Lynne Parenti; Herpetology, Janalee Caldwell, Laurie J. Vitt.
OLD AND NEW BUSINESS
President Greene indicated that he had no additional items to be considered under old or new business but requested any additional items of business from the assembled members.
Clark Hubbs expressed his concerns about the large number of cancellations at this meeting and suggested that there be a penalty for failing to present a paper. Barry Chernoff suggested that any such penalty needed to be imposed only after careful evaluation of each cancellation. Bruce Collette suggested that major- professors or other committee members could present something in lieu of cancellation. President Greene charged the new Meeting Management Committee with developing a policy for canceled presentations.
Hearing no other new business, President Greene called on Bob Cashner to discuss future meeting sites. Cashner informed the membership that the 2001 meeting would be held at Penn State (5--11 July). The 2002 meeting in Kansas City will be held 3--8 July; Ed Wiley came forward and described the venue. A tentative plan for a 2003 meeting in San Diego is in development, and Bill Matthews mentioned that the 2004 meetings would be in Oklahoma. Cashner reported that the ASIH would meet in Tampa in 2005 and would possibly return to Victoria, British Columbia in 2006.
President Greene thanked Bob Cashner, Al Savitzky, Mo Donnelly, Larry Page, and Brooks Burr for their help. President Greene also reminded the membership that the ASIH does more than publish Copeia. He called for insights and suggestions from the membership for increasing the role of ASIH in education and conservation.
The Annual Business Meeting adjourned at 1840 h.
ANNUAL BANQUET, 20 JUNE 2000
The banquet was called to order by the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Larry G. Allen also known by his hip-hop moniker Larry A.G. Larry introduced the six participating societies in this annual joint meeting: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH), American Elasmobranch Society (AES), Neotropical Ichthyological Association (NIA), Herpetologists' League (HL), Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR), and the Canadian Association of Herpetologists (CAH), or the societies for the study of sharks, fishes, and derived lobefin fishes.
Larry acknowledged the two people who were critical to the success of the La Paz meeting: Dr. Carlos Villavicencio Garayzar, Chairperson of the local committee and Raquel Bernáldez King, Senior Conference Planner. Carlos then introduced the many members of the local committee (all from UABCS unless noted) associated with their venue: HOTEL ARAIZA INN PALMIRA: Melania López Castro (coordinator), Jorge Dávila Ortiz, Rita López Greene, Oscar Méndez, Brian L. Storz, Erika Rodriguez, Nayeli Garcia Sandoval, Pablo Antonio Trujillo Susunga, Norman Evaldo Cossio Dominguez, Antonio de la Cruz, Lourdes Otero Moreno, Javier Robles Hernández, Alfredo Benitez Torres, Alejandro Olivera Bonilla. HOTEL LOS ARCOS: Everardo Mariano Meléndez (coordinator), Jonathan Sandoval Castillo, Lenin Alberto Guerrero Maldonado, Axkana Medina Bustamante, Adalberto Herrera Partida, Ángel Macías Macías, Ayax R. Díaz Ruíz, Daniel Octavio Ceseña Ojeda, Eloy Betancourt Gomez, Jorge Guillermo Aldazaro B., José Maquín Pérez Ramirez, Juan Carlos Luna Estrada, Juan Eduardo Martínez Meza, Luis Arturo Burnes Romo, Manuel Calderón Parra, María Eliana Gómez Robles, Norma Karina Hernández Ibarra, Vicente Francisco Santoprieto, RafaelOrtiz, Gerardo Issac Ayala, Jorge Ramírez González, Hernández Ramirez Luz Elena, Gamboa Orozco Raymundo Carlos, Selene Rodríguez Castañeda (UNIPAZ), Brenda Álvarez Nogales (UNIPAZ), Sandra Gutierrez Vergara (UNIPAZ), Carlos Tovar Torres (CETMAR), Cruz Carmen Juárez Olvera (CICIMAR), Omar Machado Montes (CBTIS), Francisco Álvarez Montes (GANDHI). HOTEL LA PERLA: Marcela Linares Aranda (coordinator), Adriana María Eugenia Lazcano Gonzalez, Nercy A. Diaz Amador, Mónica Aurora Reza Sanchez, Joaquín López Velarde Juarez, Miguel Angel Toriz Otero, Daniela Ortiz Estrada, Mayeli Caballero Cano, Noemi Sánchez Campos, Ricardo González Sánchez, Gustavo Salazar Aguilar, Arturo Tecuapetla Rios, Elizabeth Dávalos Dehullu. DRIVERS & TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Armando Martinez Flores, Oscar Ramón Castro, Francisco Javier Ruiz Yerena, Ricardo Omar Castro, Lizandro Piñuelas Castro, and Carlos Trasviña Romero.
Carlos then acknowledged the corporate sponsors for helping to make the meeting a success: La Mar y Peña, Crown Plaza Hotel, Hotel Marina, La Paz Lapa Restaurant, La Concha, Pozolería La Mision, Hotel Araiza Inn Palmira, Cerveceria Cuauhtemoc-Moctezuma (Tecate), Coca Cola, Vinos LA Cetto, La Tequileña (Tequila Cimarron), Baja Quest, Baja Diving Service, Baja Expeditions, H. Ayuntamiento de la Paz, Govierno del Estado de Baja California Sur, Falcon Travel Services, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Associacion de Empresas Hoteleras y Turísticas de La Paz.
Carlos then introduced local guests and dignitaries and the agencies or offices they represent: C. Lic. Leonel Cota Montaño (Gobernador del Estado de Baja California Sur), C. Lic. Alfredo Porras Dominguez (Presidente Municipal de La Paz), M.C. Jesus Druk González (Secretario de Desarrollo, Gobierno del Estado), Lic. Elsa de La Paz (Tesorera Municipal), Ing. Ricardo Perez Razura (Presidente Asociación de Hoteleros), Ing. Fernando Aguilar Choy (Presidente CANACO), Yolanda M. Garcia Amador (Vinos y Licores Gayocla), M.C. Publio Octavio Martínez (Secretario General UABCS), M.C. Juan Miguel Lemus Avalos.
Larry asked the crowd for a round of applause to acknowledge the efforts of the local committee. The crowd, lubricated with Cimarron's finest erupted into applause.
Larry then introduced those seated at the head table, their spouses/significant others/guests: Larry Page, ASIH Treasurer; Maureen Donnelly, ASIH Interim Secretary and her husband Steve Oberbauer; Deanna Stouder, ASIH Program Planning Committee; Harry Greene, ASIH President; Aaron Bauer, HL President; Ken Dodd, HL President Elect and his wife Marian; Brian Crother, ASIH Student Awards Chair and his wife Mary White; Julian Lee, SSAR President; David Green, SSAR President Elect; Robert Aldridge, SSAR Treasurer; John Matter, SSAR Secretary; Gregor Calliet, AES Program Planning Committee; George Burgess, ASIH/AES Program Planning Committee; Raquel Bernáldez King, Senior Conference Planner, La Paz Local Committee; Carlos Villavicencio, Chair La Paz Local Committee and his wife Leticia Conde Ortega. (Note added in preparation: If your look here for your name and fail to see it, please let me know so I can correct the official record -- Larry Allen left me cryptic notes about the front table contingent). Additionally Larry acknowledged the ASIH Past-President BobCashner and ASIH index coeditor Fran Cashner.
Larry proposed a toast to Robert Karl Johnson and the assembled crowd joined him in saluting the memory of our valued friend and colleague.
Larry then announced some of the meeting statistics: 1,445 registrants, 968 papers and posters, and 47% of those in attendance were students. The 2000 annual meeting, like previous annual meetings, has a very high percentage of student participants. The low membership cost, reduced student registration rates, travel grants, and several paper competitions for students continue to attract them to annual meetings.
Larry then recognized Past-Presidents of ASIH, HL, SSAR, AES, and the CAH by asking for them to stand and take a round of applause.
Larry described the tremendous job done by Copeia editor Michael Douglas and after convincing Mike he should stand and be recognized the crowd applauded and consumed additional Cimarron.
Larry also enjoyed shots of Cimarron and announced the election results. The results were reported earlier in this document and are not repeated here. The ASIH extends a hearty thanks to all nominees and congratulations to the winners. Thank you for your willingness to serve the society. The society survives on a volunteerism and those expressing a willingness to serve the society help ASIH attain its goals.
Next came announcements of the awards to current and recent graduate students and senior society members. Larry called on John Olney to announce the winners of the Edward C. and Charlotte E. Raney Awards. John introduced the committee members: Edie Marsh-Matthews and Keith Gido. Thirty four proposals were received and the following seven were funded: Cristin L. Hulslander ($700), Clark University: The evolution of male threespine stickleback nuptial coloration. Jeff Janovetz ($980), University of Chicago: Evolution of pectoral fin locomotion in basal actinopterygians. Jerald B. Johnson ($640), University of Vermont: Phylogenetic sorting of Utah chub populations isolated by hydrological events of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville: testing for concordance between geology and phylogeny. Gregory R. Moyer ($648), Southern Illinois University: The phylogeny of Doradidae (Teleostei, Siluriformes): a combined approach utilizing the nuclear elongation factor of 1-alpha gene, the mitochondrial 12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, cytochrome-b genes and morphology. Benjamin Ruttenberg ($1,000), University of California Santa Barbara: Larval transport and population exchange of reef fishes in the Galapagos Islands. Michael Wagner ($502), University of Georgia: The relative effects of food availability and submerged debris on forage site selection by a drift- feeding stream fish: an application of the Ideal Free Distribution.
Larry then called on Harry Greene to present the recipients of the Gaige Awards. The Gaige committee was chaired by Lee Fitzgerald and included Sharon Emerson and Joe Pechmann. The committee received 43 proposals and funded the following 11 proposals (each for $500): Erika Adams, Oregon State University: Direct or indirect effects: how does a female gain from mating with several different males? Ryan Calsbeek, University of California Santa Cruz: Male body size as a sexually selected thermometer. John Niedzwiecki, University of Kentucky: Examining population variation in life history traits of Ambystoma texanum andAmbystoma barbouri (Amphibia: Caudata). Catherine A. Palmer, Oregon State University: The effects of post-mating isolation on hybrid zone stabilization. Kelly M. Passek, Virginia Tech University: Sperm competition as a potential mechanism of sexual selection in the lizard, Anolis carolinensis. Vanessa S. Quinn, Indiana State University: Female response to abdominal coloration in Sceloporus lizards: a comparative approach. Jeanne M. Robertson, Southern Illinois University: Population genetic structure of the Neotropical glass frog, Centrolene prosoblepon. Betsie B. Rothermel, University of Missouri Columbia: Effects of forest fragmentation on growth and survival of juvenile amphibians. Luis Schiesari, University of Michigan: Performance tradeoffs along productivity gradients and their implications for the natural distributions of anuran species. Christine E. Todd, Illinois State University: Importance of terrestrial buffer zones in successful wetland conservation. Patricia Zaradic, University of Pennsylvania: "Prey-limited to habitat limited: predator-prey uncoupled."
Larry Allen called Brian Crother, chair of the ASIH student awards committee, to the podium to introduce the chairs of the various award committees who presented individual awards. The results of the Tracy Storer Competition for best student poster were presented. The Storer competition in Ichthyology was judged by Bill Matthews, John Gold, and Linn Montgomery. The winners were: Ana Gaisiner, University of West Florida, "Reproductive behavior of the clown goby, Microgobius gulosus, a species showing maternal care of eggs" and Erin Baumgartner, University of Hawaii, "Behavioral ecology of the mangrove blenny, Omobranchus rotundiceps obliquus."
The Storer competition in Herpetology was judged by Craig Guyer (chair), John Armbruster, and Carol Johnston. The winner: Catherine Palmer, Oregon State University, "The relationship between morphological and allozyme variation in distinguishing species and hybrids in the Plethodon jordani complex."
Next came announcement of the Frederick H. Stoye Awards for best student presentation in each of several categories. Each presenter came forward, announced the members of the judging committee, and announced the winner of each award: General Ichthyology: Frank Petzold (Chair), Kassie Cole, and Bruce Thompson: Kyle Piller, Tulane University, "Molecular systematics of the Etheostoma blennioides complex (Actinopterygii: Percidae)." General Herpetology: Jim McGuire (Chair), Chris Austin, and Lee Grismer: Gabriela Parra-Olea, University of California, "Paraphyly and more paraphyly in a tropical salamander clade." Genetics, Development and Morphology: Bradford Hollingsworth (Chair), John Wiens, and David Kizirian: Michael Shapiro, Harvard University, "Evolution and development of limb reduction in the lizard Hemiergis (Scincidae)." Ecology and Ethology: Alex Basolo (Chair), Mary Mendonça, Mary White, Guillermo Orti, Ingo Schupp, Bill Wagner, and Kirk Winemiller: John L. Sabo, University of California, "Riverfront real estate: testing thermal and resource hypotheses for extraordinarily high densities of Sceloporine lizards in riparian habitats." Conservation: Dave Morafka (Chair), Robert Murphy, Henry Mushinsky: Eric Simandle, University of Nevada Reno, "Metapopulation structure and conservation of the rare Amargosa toad (Bufo nelsoni)." Brian thanked all the judges and chairs then thanked Bob Cashner and Edie Marsh-Matthews for all their help with the 2000 studentcompetition.
Jon Baskin, for the Neotropical Ichthyological Association, announced the winners of the student competition for best paper and best poster. The winner of the best paper is: D. Albrey Arrington, Texas A & M University, "Habitat structure and tropical fish assemblages: a test of the random association hypothesis." The best student poster was presented by Matt Craig, Occidental College, "A re-analysis of phylogenetic relationships among the American groupers Epinephelus and allied genera (Perciformes; Serranidae)."
Larry Allen then called Harry Greene to the podium to present the Fitch Award. The Fitch Committee consisted of President (and Chair) Greene, Prior Past President Al Savitzky, and Interim Secretary Mo Donnelly. The recipient of the 2000 Fitch Award is Jay M. Savage. Bob Cashner was then called to the podium to announce James C. Tyler as the winner of the 2000 Robert H. Gibbs Memorial Award in Systematic Ichthyology. Brooks Burr and Bruce Collette served on the committee with Bob Cashner.
Larry announced that Linda Trueb was the Distinguished Herpetologist for the HL.
Just before the PA system gave it up, Gene Helfman presented the last bounds of decency award to Dick Vogt.
Steve Beaupre, chair of the resolutions committee came forward, braved the crowd fueled by Cimarron, and read some of these resolutions.
RESOLUTION FOR AL SAVITZKY:
WHEREAS Alan Savitzky has served ASIH for nearly four years in a succession of executive roles, including 1998, his one year as actual President, and
WHEREAS these four years have offered many unprecedented challenges to the role, management and leadership of the Society, and
WHEREAS Alan Savitzky has selflessly worked toward the betterment of ASIH by expanding the role of the Environmental Quality Committee and by offering sage advice on responses by ENQC on an incredible range of environmental and conservation issues, and
WHEREAS he has provided missions and quality guidance to many committees, has worked toward solutions to myriad problems including electronic publishing and professional management, and re-established ASIH's connection to AIBS, and
WHEREAS Alan Savitzky put this Society's needs ahead of his own research
and career concerns,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH acknowledge its debt to him and extend a heartfelt thank you to Al Savitzky for his considerable investment of time, effort, and skill on this Society's behalf.
RESOLUTION FOR BOB CASHNER
WHEREAS ASIH is run by volunteers, and
WHEREAS the ASIH is thankful that the wearing of bad clothes during the
70s has evolved by cultural anagenesis to the simple wearing of many hats by Past President Bob Cashner, and
WHEREAS Bob Cashner has worked exceedingly hard to jump-start the new
version of Time, Place and Program, and
WHEREAS Bob Cashner's propensity to find time for ASIH service, despite
the massive demands of being Graduate Dean, is nothing short of awesome,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH extend its deepest thanks to Bob Cashner for his continued service to the Society.
RESOLUTION FOR PAT GREGORY
WHEREAS finding sites for annual meetings is a difficult and onerous task, and
WHEREAS finding people to find sites is a difficult and onerous task, and
WHEREAS Pat Gregory, who is neither difficult nor onerous has served the
Society well as Chair of Time, Place and Program Committee,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Society thanks Pat Gregory for his service in time, place and program.
RESOLUTION FOR LARRY PAGE
WHEREAS Larry Page has served the ASIH with skill and responsibility, and
WHEREAS his strategic fiscal policies have resulted in a dramatic increase
in ASIH financial holdings, and
WHEREAS these increases have significantly forwarded the goals of ASIH,
and allowed us to do more good in the Ichthyological and Herpetological arena,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH acknowledges its debt to Larry Page, and we thank him for years of service.
RESOLUTION FOR THE INTERIM SECRETARIES
WHEREAS President-elect Brooks Burr's offer to serve as Interim Secretary
after the untimely death of Secretary Robert K. Johnson, and
WHEREAS this "jump into action" so shortly before the annual meetings was
an enormous help to the society and the local committee, and
WHEREAS it is noted that Brooks Burr "Bailed out of Dodge" as soon as a
Substitute - Interim Secretary was designated, and
WHEREAS Mo Donnelly equally selflessly offered to immediately start in her
function as Substitute - Interim - Secretary (Did she have a choice after
Brooks Burr bailed?),
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ASIH thanks Brooks Burr and Mo Donnelly for their service to the Society in an unexpected and difficult situation.
RESOLUTION FOR COPEIA EDITORS
WHEREAS the time-consuming work of sectional and book review editors for Copeia often goes unrecognized, and
WHEREAS Tim Berra served ASIH for many years as Ichthyology book review editor, and
WHEREAS Andy Price served ASIH for three years as General Herpetology
sectional Editor,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT ASIH acknowledges their services and thanks them for their contribution.
RESOLUTION FOR ROB FISHER'S COURIER SERVICE
WHEREAS Robert Fisher and his staff (and a truck!) Went many extra miles
and repeatedly sorted the meeting materials to achieve the lowest possible rates for mailing,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH extend its heartfelt thanks to Robert and his people - and warn UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal service that they have a new and highly efficient competitor, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT in the future, the ASIH provide financial support for stimulants and pharmaceuticals to assuage the direct and indirect effects of sleepless nights, and postage stamp glue toxicity.
RESOLUTION ON NAMES
WHEREAS the ASIH committee on Names of Fish has proposed that the first letter of common names of fishes be capitalized, and
WHEREAS the Little Brown Book of English Usage indicates that the first
letter of Proper Nouns only should be capitalized, and
WHEREAS such action will result in the inability of fish-loving Scrabble
players everywhere to legally use "Totoaba" for 8 points,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH committee on the Names of Fishes should recommend a change in the name of the AFS publication to the "Scientific and Proper Names of Fishes" and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the committee be charged with applying to the manufacturers of Scrabble for a change in the rules.
RESOLUTION ON THE MOOI-CORRECTION FACTOR
WHEREAS in recent days, the Ichthyologists assembled at Los Arcos were informed about peculiarities of the Swiss Psyche and the bioluminescent qualities of Pempherid posteriors, and
WHEREAS the "Mooi-Correction" for molecular and morphological characters was introduced, and
WHEREAS the Local Committee anticipated the Mooi-Correction factor by providing 8 billion times more alcoholic content at the socials and the picnic than required, and
WHEREAS we have, over the course of our stay in LaPaz, become "muy relajado",
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Society encourage all such future illuminating insights in systematics.
RESOLUTION FOR STEVE SECOR
WHEREAS some Ichthyologists and Herpetologists have demonstrated an
inability to avoid envenomation or other grievous damage from their study
organisms, and
WHEREAS since the unfortunate accident with the Hindenburg, large objects
filled with hydrogen are generally considered just plain bad luck, and
WHEREAS Oxford Mississippi is a quiet, sleepy, unsuspecting community,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH condemn and discourage Steve Secor's search for fire-breathing dragons as a model system to study the putrefaction of rats.
RESOLUTION ON ZOOLOGY 101
WHEREAS President Greene first expressed his concern that his own student
was not able to tell a caterpillar from a snake, and
WHEREAS President Greene further elaborated on his own confusion in
distinguishing snakes and flatworms, and
WHEREAS in his own words this is "very disturbing",
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ASIH strongly encourages President Greene to enroll in Zoology 101 this Fall, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT until the successful completion of said
course, his abstracts be scrutinized by committee.
RESOLUTION FOR BRUCE COLLETTE
WHEREAS Society Presidents, past and present, live in trepidation of
acrimonious finger pointing by Bruce Collette, and
WHEREAS Bruce Collette has taken it upon himself to randomly dismiss paper sessions prior to their natural completion, and
WHEREAS during the ASIH business meeting, by shear force of mind, Bruce Collette caused the collapse of a wall, resulting in a failed assassination
attempt on President Greene and Temporary Substitute Interim Secretary-Elect Donnelly,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT all future Past-President's Addresses will now be referred to as the "Pop-Off Address" and that said address will be delivered in a Bruce Collette wig, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the ASIH devote funds to found and support the "Bruce Collette Oratory and Finishing School".
RESOLUTION ON LA PAZ NAMES
WHEREAS members of the ASIH are thrilled to be in LaPaz, and
WHEREAS our host's hospitality is unparalleled, and
WHEREAS we appreciate the opportunity to experience different cultures, and
WHEREAS the English tradition of listing authors alphabetically by last
name is obviously not all it's cracked up to be,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT a random selection of approximately 20% of all authors be listed alphabetically by first name in all future ASIH meeting programs.
RESOLUTION ON SPANISH 101
WHEREAS the local students have worked tirelessly in support of the
meetings, despite being beset by an army of anglophones, and
WHEREAS their efforts to communicate were often preceded by an apology
that they did not speak better English, and
WHEREAS this moved members of the Society to apologize that they did not speak better Spanish,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT in future Latin American venues the Anglos should be aware that "Soy muy embarresado" means "I am very pregnant".
RESOLUTION ON ALCOHOL I. DRINKING AGE.
WHEREAS the drinking age does vary among countries, and
WHEREAS kids these days look older than they really are, and
WHEREAS it is often considered rude to refuse the hospitality of an offered
drink,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the children of ASIH members be handed free beer as they pass the threshold of all future meeting social events.
RESOLUTION ON ALCOHOL II. BEER & TEQUILA
WHEREAS rarely has so much free beer been offered to members at ASIH
meeting socials, and
WHEREAS free shots of tequila at socials is an idea who's time has come, and
WHEREAS the food at La Paz socials has surpassed our wildest dreams in SO MANY WAYS, and
WHEREAS we have instituted a new tradition of graduate students singing
mariachi for their food, and
WHEREAS no previous ASIH socials have ever been crashed by chili relleno - begging manta rays,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the social events of the ASIH 2000 meeting in La Paz be numbered among the finest in the Society's history!
RESOLUTION ON LOCAL FLAVOR
WHEREAS the members of the Society staying at Los Arcos were awakened Sunday morning to the testing of a new rapid-transit system to reduce
travel time among hotels, and
WHEREAS the size of some meeting rooms left us all with the distinct but
false impression that our talks were well-attended, and
WHEREAS air conditioners imposed a sharp trade-off between the acoustic
and thermal properties of meeting rooms, and
WHEREAS the ASIH annual meeting has finally been held at a venue that
appreciates and embraces the strict dress code of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists,and
WHEREAS the five-minute walk from La Concha to the Araiza has out- performed the Scottsdale Diet, the All-Protein Diet, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig,
and Phen-Fen, and
WHEREAS the Governor's house is still standing after the AES banquet, and
WHEREAS the wonderful people of La Paz traded a week with over 1000 drunks for a little bit of rain, and
WHEREAS, every cloud has a silver lining, and every challenge is an
opportunity,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the members of ASIH thank:
The Hotel Staffs of Los Arcos, La Araiza, La Perla, La Concha, and Marina
for excellent service
The shuttle drivers for shuttling gladly,
The taxi drivers for filling in the gaps,
The Policia for holding up traffic to prevent self-important inebriated
scientists from becoming road-kill, and
The people of La Paz for their warm hospitality and kindness.
RESOLUTION FOR THE LOCAL COMMITTEE
WHEREAS, numerous members have expressed wonder at the local scenery, suggesting that future meeting hosts will be hard pressed to match the beauty of the La Paz waterfront, and
WHEREAS the harshest words we have heard from the La Paz community is that they refer to us as a "convention", and
WHEREAS the quick reflexes of our hosts saved the lives of both President
Greene and Temporary Interim Substitute Secretary-Elect Donnelly from the
failed Collette coup, and
WHEREAS we would all come back in a heartbeat.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the ASIH expresses its profound thanks to: Carlos Villavicencio Garayzar, Raquel Bernáldez King, Gregor Cailliet,
Maureen Donnelly, Larry Allen, Deanna Stouder, George Burgess, Everardo Mariano, Jorge Leon, Johnatan Sandoval, Arturo Gueta, Patricia Galina, Eduardo Balart, Felipe Galvan, Andres Abita Cardenas, Edgar Landin Olivas, Cruz Del Carmen Juarez, Emelio Barjau Gonzalez, Gerardo Barba, Jorge Davida, Lazaro Cadena, Julieta Arce, Fernando Aguilar, Adria Rocio Lozano, and Timm Means of the local committee and the program planning committee for their warmth, kindness, generosity, hospitality, and hard work towards making the 80th annual meeting of ASIH a resounding success.
OBSERVACIONES SOBRE LA PAZ:
Ah La Paz, La Ciudad de la cerveza mas copiosa.
Where the food is better, the streets are safer, and the beer is cheaper than in my home town.
Where umbrellas weren't superfluous after all, and the Mayor credited us with the miracle of the frogs and fishes.
Where skateboarding is not a crime.
Where a log base 10 exchange rate has made even the most mathematically challenged among us competent to engage in international financial transactions.
Where the sidewalks rival the reefs of Palau in structural heterogeneity
and rugosity.
Where rumors have it there's an election going on, and that herpetologists are meeting somewhere down the road.
Where eating chocolate ice cream is a national pass-time, and cruising the
strip is a family activity.
Where the jogging path is five miles long and as wide as a balance beam.
Where the basic tenets of Capitalism are only partially understood; why else would major breweries ply us with free beer with little or no prospect of future brand allegiance, and why else would hotels throw elaborate parties in appreciation of our patronage?
Where stop lights are cleverly concealed, and "Alto" is only a suggestion.
Where License plates on both ends of cars confidently declare "front", perhaps in response to the subtle designation of one-way streets.
Where public playgrounds with trampolines, jungle gyms, and climbing logs prove that society can exist without litigation, and
Where giant blow-up beer bottles worthy of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
remind us why it is we attend these meetings.....
Larry completed his work as the Master of Ceremonies by announcing that at the 2000 meeting, the graduate students earned $2400 with their raffle. The ASIH will provide matching funds in the amount of $2000 to provide students with funds to attend the Penn State meetings in 2001. Larry thanked the local committee one last time and invited all to Penn State so we can once again have a great meeting and drink while we look at the face of Joe Paterno and other Nittnay Lions of note.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen A. Donnelly
Interim Secretary
these minutes were published Copeia 2000 (4):1156-1168
