The Curation and Analysis Planning Team for Extraterrestrial Materials (CAPTEM) reviews and recommends actions concerning allocations of lunar samples and cosmic dust samples for scientific and educational use and generally advocate planetary sample science.

As of March 1997, a new term will begin for the CAPTEM advocates. With the upcoming meeting to be held on March 21-22, a change in leadership will occur. The reigns of leadership will be handed over from Dr. Klaus Keil (University of Hawaii) to the new chairman, Dr. James J. Papike (University of New Mexico). Dr. Papike will begin chairing the October 1997 meeting. CAPTEM members who will continue service include advocates consisting of Dr. Lindsay Keller (MVA, Inc.), Dr. Gary Lofgren-CAPTEM Secretary, (NASA JSC), Dr. Horton Newsom (University of New Mexico) and Dr. Carol Prombo (Saint Louis University). The new members will be Dr. Brad Joliff (Washington University), Dr. Clive Neal (Notre Dame University) and Dr. Graham Ryder (Lunar and Planetary Institute). They will replace the outgoing members: Dr. William Boynton (University of Arizona), Dr. Larry Taylor (University of Tennessee) and Dr. Paul Warren (University of California, L.A.).

Our Curatorial staff is looking forward to working with the new CAPTEM advocates and pledging our continued support as we document and distribute materials for scientific research and provide continued physical protection, environmental preservation, accountability and record management for the sample collections. As we prepare for each meeting, it is our aspiration and determination that all associated sample background research, sample documentation, and all reference materials needed by CAPTEM advocates are made available at the meeting place and to assure that all information prepared for the advocates is complete and unambiguous.

Farewell to the outgoing chairman, Dr. Klaus Keil and the outgoing advocates. Thanks again for a job well done.