PROFESSIONAL societies such as the ASIH play important roles in the development of scientific inquiry. The discussion and furthering of scientific endeavors are the basis for these learned societies. Equally important, though, is the transmission of scientific knowledge to the public. One such aspect of this knowledge transfer comes in the form of offering support for causes through formal resolutions. During the annual meetings of the ASIH, the Society reads resolutions adopted during the business meetings and the banquet. In general, these are substantive, humorous, congratulatory to society members and officers, or to offer condolences to family members of deceased members of the Society. The substantive resolutions, which usually go out as letters to government, signed by the president, offer a mechanism to call attention to the broader scientific community, government, and public of particular needs or challenges faced by reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
The purpose of this article is...