 Avast, Ye Mateys! As General Chair of the 2007 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress, I want to invite you to Tampa Bay! Tampa has a rich heritage, from pirate invasions to the cigar rollers of Ybor City. While we can't claim that George Washington slept here, we can claim that Teddy Roosevelt camped here with his Rough Riders. The influences of many cultures – Italian, Cuban, Greek, South American – swirl through our cuisine and celebrations, to create a rich and exciting melting pot. (Beware, though, as you may be accosted by our favorite pirate, José Gaspar, at one of our Congress social events!) While we hope you enjoy our social events, we hope you will immerse yourself in the Congress technical program. For many years, Florida has been home to some of the most progressive environmental restoration efforts in the world. From the restoration of Dead Lakes in the Panhandle, to the cleanup of Tampa Bay, to the restoration of the Everglades, Florida has been at the forefront of wetlands restoration. Our technical program focuses on restoration, in tracks that deal with watershed, wetlands, and stream restoration. Part of our Congress will include an all-day tour to learn first-hand about Everglades restoration, sponsored in part by the South Florida Water Management District. This tour will take you to the heart of the restoration area and will be led by people intimately involved in these projects, to see what has been done and learn about the ongoing work. Because of the delicate balance of the ecosystem, Florida has also been very progressive in its environmental regulations. It is a real pleasure to see this reflected in a large number of Congress papers dealing with water and wastewater issues, and their impact on public health. You will also find sessions dealing with cutting-edge issues, such as Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Micro-Pollutants, and a Research Frontiers track sponsored by the University of South Florida. Again, please join us on Tampa Bay. We know you will enjoy your stay here, and we look forward to seeing you at our many activities. 
Paul Bizier, P.E., F.ASCE General Chair Are you a water resources or environmental professional? Then you'll want to join the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI). Sharpen your knowledge, contribute to your profession, and network with your peers through EWRI. EWRI is a specialty organization - already 22,000 members strong - within the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The diverse members who are coming under the EWRI umbrella include these project team professionals:
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