I'm not completely sure where to be flattered by your invitation to speak on the future of IPM or to be insulted. Let me explain. Anytime I here someone described or presented as one who has great potential, I make the assumption that he hasn't done anything - yet. Similarly, in my warped way of thinking, I often assume that a person on the future of anything is a self-ordained prophet and/or has not done anything of significant value that he can get up and talk about.

Let me assure you that I don't present myself as a prophet. I didn't even suspect that someone would come up with the brilliant idea of putting Borax in Fab. As for the second point; having done anything of value, I'm honestly afraid to bring that up for open discussion.

Seriously, I am flattered that you asked me to speak - the future of IPM. It is a matter that I'm sure each of us ponder daily. In assembling my thoughts and preparing my I gave it the serious and sober consideration that I'm sure you expected me to. I want to thank and credit each of you who were kind enough to share with me your comments and observations about the future of IPM. After reading some of them, it confirmed my suspicion that there are several of you who have been a better choice than me for this assignment.

To attempt to look to the future requires a thorough and objective assessment of the past and present. In a number of ways this has been addressed here today by the speakers before me. If I cover some of the same tracks, I ask your indulgence. I shall attempt to avoid this as much as possible. I learned a long tine ago to "dance with what you brung."