Bill Text: SC S0685 | 2019-2020 | 123rd General Assembly | Introduced

South Carolina Senate Resolution 685 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Dr. Robert A. Thomas

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-03-20 - Introduced and adopted [S0685 Detail]

Download: South_Carolina-2019-S0685-Introduced.html

A SENATE RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE DR. ROBERT A. THOMAS ON HAVING A NEWLY IDENTIFIED SPECIES OF SNAKE FROM THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS NAMED IN HIS HONOR.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to recognize those who embody the spirit of exploration and scientific discovery; and

Whereas, Dr. Robert A. Thomas has been studying snakes since the 1970s, and he began studying those in the Galapagos Islands in 1984. In 1997, he published an overview of Galapagos snakes based on features such as scale counts, patterns, and other shapes and forms. Over the years, Dr. Thomas has joined Camden-based environmental attorney Tom Mullikin on expeditions around the world; and

Whereas, recently, a team of Brazilian and Ecuadorian biologists led by Dr. Hussam Zaher of the Universidad de Sao Paolo used genetic analysis to restudy snakes on the Galapagos Island and to work out their evolutionary route through the chain of islands. Their study identified three new species of snake, and their findings were published online in the journal Systematics and Biodiversity and in the Brazilian journal Pesquisa; and

Whereas, one of the three newly identified species, Pseudalsophis thomasi, was named in honor of Dr. Thomas. The other two snakes, Pseudalsophis darwini and Pseudalsophis hephaestus, were named after Charles Darwin, the scientist whose theory of evolution grew out of a voyage through the Galapagos, and the Greek god of fire, honoring the island chain's volcanic origins; and

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the pride that Dr. Robert A. Thomas has brought to the people and the State of South Carolina, and the members look forward to a future filled with accomplishments by this talented explorer. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Dr. Robert A. Thomas on having a newly identified species of snake from the Galapagos Islands named in his honor.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Robert A. Thomas.