First and foremost, I must say that I am truly honored to have been elected to represent the Federal Wildlife Officers' Association as the new FWOA president. For years, agents have dedicated their lives as federal wildlife officers solely for the protection of our precious wildlife resources. Pride soon filed my heart as I realized that by following my lifelong dream of protecting wildlife, I unintentionally became enshrined with this collection of heroic wildlife officers of the past.

My pride was soon replaced by apprehension as I thought of the awesome responsibility of representing both past and present federal wildlife officers. I am very excited, however, to be teaming up with two of my best friends, SA Chris Dowd and SA Jim Gale who were also elected to the executive board. I am confident that this trio, along with your Regional Reps, will do everything we can to continue with the traditions laid forth by the past members and tackle new challenges in the future. 

As witnessed during the recent Special Agent In­Service in West Virginia, the fraternal qualities of the Association are ever so important in the effort to maintain morale during these troubled times. With so many issues lurking nationwide that have the potential to negatively impact our fellow officers, I believe the Association is critical in defending our profession at a time when speaking out individually sometimes runs the risk of retaliation. 

The Association must continue to closely monitor certain issues such as the medical examination's fiasco, the lack of funding and agent hiring, the lack of interest to promote agents to journey level 13s, the liberalization of our wildlife laws and regulations, and the new legislation being sponsored every day to impede our enforcement ability. Many times I have been asked, ``What has the Association done?''. When I joined the FWOA in the late 80s as a wildlife inspector in Boston, I really had no idea how important fraternalism meant to those agents who conceived the idea of creating an Association in order to enhance and defend the wildlife law enforcement profession that was under attack at the time. 

In many ways, it appears we have come full circle, with the era of the new millennium thrusting similar attacks against this fraternity. I believe that agents need a conduit where information, ideas and views of topics can be collectively shared amongst ourselves. When I think about the re cent Supreme Court decision concerning our agents in the Montana case and now the District Court opinion in Alaska concerning the law suits against SA Mark Webb and SA Corky Roberts, it becomes ever so clear to me that wildlife agents are becoming more susceptible to the political whims of the day. 

As agents continue to feel abandoned by the same agency that they have devoted their lives to, the motivation of those early pioneers who created the Association is more obvious to me now than ever before. The past executive boards should be commended for moving the FWOA forward with a proactive voice on many issues. The tireless work that SAs Kevin O'Brien, Mike Lucckino and Ed Spoon did will make the transition by the new executive board much smoother. Although I haven't had much of a chance to speak with the new board and our reps, I do have many ideas and goals that I hope to share and discuss with all. 

First of all, I believe we must increase our membership with a goal of 100% participation by all agents. Although joining the FWOA is certainly a personal choice, strength is in numbers and we need to encourage these agents to join the Association in order to maintain a stronger voice on issues that will affect all of us. The Association is only as good as the people who actively participate. As mentioned by the previous board, I fully endorse the effort to create an ``Executive Director'' position within the Association. As we learned during the dismantling of the baiting regulations by Congress and the agency, it became obvious that we need a person who can actively speak on behalf of all of the FWOA members with out fear of retaliation. The Executive Director position would hopefully be immune to the intimidation and silencing tactics that might again be used on future issues. Obviously, this position would require someone who was `bulletproof,'' possibly a former wildlife agent, law enforcement officer, or supporter with national recognition and credibility. 

Speaking of retired agents, I also would like to see the creation of a position that gives more representation within our Association to the retirees. I really think it is important to maintain closer contact with those officers who have walked the marshes before us. In my own effort to get to know some of these older agents, it be came obvious to me that the devotion to protecting our wildlife resources is everlasting and does not cease just because the shine has worn off of the badge. 

Another issue I feel very strongly about is increasing our role in the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA), especially in the project to build a memorial dedicated to all fallen wildlife officers throughout North America. In my opinion, the memorial being built at the International Peace Garden in North Dakota should be supported by the FWOA as it is with many of the state wildlife officers associations. I really believe that if we want to have our names one day engraved on this ``Wall of Honor,'' we should commit to providing some form of financial support for the museum. 

I would like to see us create a funding raising project for this endeavor as well as provide information to the museum so that our fallen officers are not forgotten. Whether it is increasing our exposure through the FWOA home page, encouraging support from our ``friends,'' or just selling Association trinkets at a law enforcement function, we must do what we can to get the word out about the importance of federal wildlife law enforcement. 

Let's face it---we are in an era where some, like George Reiger, take great pleasure in denouncing our chosen profession. It seems all too often, that this constant condemnation of our wildlife agents goes unnoticed by the agency we work for. Yet another reason why the Association voice must remain strong in order to challenge these misrepresentations and defend our fellow wildlife officers. I attribute my love of wildlife to my father, whose count less hours with me in the woods instilled a deep appreciation for the creatures amongst us. 

As I try to share those same experiences with my own children, I am reminded of how good life really is. Even during the darkest days, I remind myself of just how fortunate I am to be doing a job I love so much. Again thanks for the faith you've shown by electing me as the next president of the Association. I feel confident that the traditions set forth in the past will be carried on during the years ahead. 

COMMENTS ON THE REIGER ARTICLE 
As many of you know by now, the September 1999 issue of Field & Stream contains an article written by George Reiger who once again attacks the wildlife officer profession. In response to some of your requests, I have written a letter to Field & Stream on behalf of the Association in order to defend our chosen profession. A copy of the letter is attached to this newsletter. Since reading the article, I have been in touch with Randy Hancock, president of the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA), as well as other wildlife officer associations, in a joint effort to respond to the article. Working in concert with the Outdoor Writers Association (OWA), the FWOA and NAWEOA may get assistance from members in getting truthful outdoor articles written around the country that defend what we do and the cases that we work. 

If you are interested in working with an OWA member, please let me know. Attacks against our agents and fellow officers goes with the territory, however, Reiger continues to step over the line in his attempt to discredit all of us. I plan to stay on top of this issue and may write a follow up letter to the publisher, Times Mirror, to let them know of our concerns with this article. I think it is important to let the publisher know that one of their magazines is promoting stories that condemn the wildlife officer profession. Submitted by Tim Santel, Springfield, IL 

Congratulations to the FWOA's newly elected officers. I'm confident they will represent the Association well during their terms. I applaud them for stepping forward to serve our membership and, as I know each of them personally, I can vouch for their passion and concern for the principles on which our association was founded. 

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to have served the FWOA in an elected position each year since its found ing in 1986. I thank all who have provided support and advice along the way. I have provided the following to the newsletter before and I cannot remember where it's from or who authored it but it says much. 

It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat; who strives valiantly, who errs and may fail again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who does know the great enthusiasm, the great devotion; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. 

LEE ELECTED IN REGION TWO 

In a race featuring five experienced candidates, Rob Lee, Lubbock, TX was elected to the position of Regional Director (aka Regional Rep.) for Region Two (TX, AZ, NM, OK). 

OTHER RACES UNDECIDED 

Pat Rogers was elected the Rep in Region 9 (Washington office). Alas, Pat has accepted a position in Region 4. Another election will be held to fill the Region 9 Rep job. In Region 4 (Southeast) a winner has not been announced, because the top vote getter declined to accept the position. With Tim Santel's election to President, the Regional Rep position in Region 3 (Upper Midwest) is vacant. Secretary­Treasurer Jim Gale will be conducting elections in Regions 3, 4 and 9 to fill the vacancies. 

CANDIDATES FOR FWOA OFFICES 

When you accept a nomination, you are agreeing to serve. Recently, several candidates chose to withdraw their names after the ballots had been printed, and in some cases, after they had already been mailed to voters. Ladies and gentlemen---first of all, none of these positions require that much time, and second, let's be mature about it. Give it some thought when you are nominated. If you really don't want to serve, or cannot serve, decline then. The current situation has created a huge amount of extra work for the Secretary­Treasurer, both the outgoing one and the newbie, Jim Gale. 

DUES INCREASE PASSES

 With 78% of the votes cast, the proposed dues increase was adopted. Therefore, effective January 1, 2000, initial membership for Associate Members, and yearly renewals for all members, will be $25.00. Anyone renewing before January 1 may do so at the current rate of $15.00 per year. 
Submitted by Ed Spoon, Madison, WI. 

RETIREMENTS- OR WILL THE LAST AGENT GET A PARTY? 

In looking through the LE directory dated February 2, 1998, you find at least 21 agents have retired or left the service since it was published. SAs John Keeler and Mike Lucckino will be retiring on January 2, 2000. Where are the replacements for these knowledgeable agents? 

Emerson Gorham, who I worked with in the Horicon NWR goose wars in the 1970s, retired rather suddenly last month. I'm not sure there are too many agents who will match his style! Jim Bartee, whom I first met in SA Basic School in Washington, D.C., in 1975, retired on September 30, 1999. He and retired Agent John Cooper used to have sessions where they discussed LE policy and recent court decisions on search and seizure. When the subjects came up in class, I already had listened to at least four hours of discussion between these two characters. 

When the party was announced for two agents retiring at the same time, another agent asked if there would ever be a party for three agents who were retiring together. My reply was that there probably would be but there won't be any agents left to attend the party in their honor! We are currently at just over 200 agents but with mandatory retirements over the next two years, we are rapidly approaching agent staffing levels we were last at in the early to mid 1970s when we were staffed at about 185 agents. Where and when are we going to get replacement agents and who is going to train them? A lot of talent is walking out the door with no prospects for replacement. I hope that Jim and Emerson enjoy their well earned retirements! 
Submitted by Ed Spoon, Madison, WI.

COMMEMORATIVE PISTOLS 

The commemorative pistol orders have been delivered to SigArms. With any luck they should be in the hands of members sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

SUNNY LaCOUR RETIRED! 

For the information of those Agents who have been to Alaska for the ivory investigations and busts in the 80s and 90s, Application Examiner Sunny LaCour retired on September 24, 1999 after 26 years of work with the Service and 28 with the federal government. 

Sunny was of great assistance in our investigation take downs and in the handling of cases. Many of you have worked with her in the past. Former ASAC­LE Anchorage Larry Hood and retired SRA Al Crane, Fairbanks, attended her retirement luncheon. DARD­LE Wally Soroka spoke of Sunny's contributions to LE and her dedicated service. She will be greatly missed. 

WINTER NEWSLETTER DEADLINE 

December 15, 1999 for publication in early January 2000  Space in each newsletter is limited; PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES EARLY to ensure their inclusion! Send articles/information to: Ann Hill Thornton e­mail: rodangrafaol.com Thank You! 

WHAT IF... 

By Ron Sigman 
What if today's the day 
My worst fears come true? 
What if today's the day 
Will I know what to do? 
What if today's the day 
Have I learned my lessons well? 
Am I ready for the challenge 
Only time will tell. 
What if today's the day 
That my battle will be fought? 
What if today's the day 
That ``routine'' stop...is not? 
What if today's the day 
A child stares into my eyes, 
While I'm powerless to help him 
And in my arms, he dies? 
What if today's the day 
Someone tries to take my life? 
What if today's the day 
I make a widow of my wife? 
What if today's the day 
that things get a little rough 
What if today's the day... 
Will my training be enough? 
What if today's the day 
That my fears do come true? 
Have I taken time to ask myself 
``What if'' a time or two? 
Have I listened well enough in class? 
Have I asked what needed to be asked? 
What was that training all about? 
What if today's the day that I found out? 

Sign in veterinarian's waiting room: ``Be back in five minutes. Sit, Stay'' Optometrist's office: ``If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place''

IMPORTANT NOTICE 
Effective Immediately the FWOA business 
address has changed to: 
FWOA 
P.O. Box 5404 
Saginaw, MI 48603­0404 
(The box in Madison has been closed with a 
forwarding order in effect). 

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