Good Evening, [ 2 ] BOSTON PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION Welcome once again to the Boston Press Photographers Association’s Annual Awards Celebration rec- ognizing those members who were chosen by the 2019 BPPA Pictures of the Year judges for exemplary work in the fifield of photojournalism. As always, the continuing aim of the executive committee and the board of directors is service to our BPPA membership and we continue to have frequent and detailed discussions about how to best move forward. This year we have again brought together judges recognized for their experience and accom- plishments within the fifield of photojournalism. Also, this year I am happy to report we are honoring one of our own in presenting the Bob Howard Good Fellowship Award to Arthur Pollack, a former Boston Herald staff photographer and picture edi- tor who passed away last summer. Arthur is being recognized not only for his standing as a journalist but also because of his commitment, without fanfare, to the cause of foster children. Thank you Arthur for being a roll model to us all. On a personal note, last year I completed my 41st year as a journalist, 28 of those years as a member of the Boston photojournalism community. As many of you may be aware for most of that 41st year I struggled in my own battle against an advanced stage of kidney cancer. I have been fortunate, as it seems, to have reclaimed most of my good health. By the end of last year I realized I am a very lucky man thanks to the unequaled talents of our city’s medical community and the approval of a new im- munotherapy drug a year ago April. With that realization I decided to end my career it the fifield I have, and continue, to love. Last December I retired from the Associated Press on my own terms content in my career fortunes and with the awareness of how lucky I am to have been able to earn a living loving the work of practicing journalism. In conjunction with my retirement I will be stepping down as presi- dent of the Boston Press Photographers Association this fall when my term expires. Before doing so I want to thank this community of talented, intelligent, compassionate photojournalists for welcoming me into their fold and inspiring me. As for the future, let us continue to look back in critical evaluation of our efforts and varying suc- cesses with a motivation toward becoming better photojournalists tomorrow. I welcome everyone in attendance and ask you all to join in the celebration of work well done while keeping an unwavering eye toward becoming more effective journalists. Peace Letter from the BPPA President May 11, 2019 - 30 - Stephan Savoia President Boston Press Photographers Association