With this issue we begin the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the field of information theory. A great variety of special events are planned, and their descriptions can be found throughout this newsletter. In celebrating our 50th anniversary, we will choose a new emblem to represent our society. Entries for the logo contest are included later in this issue along with a postcard for your participation in the selection process. Also included in this issue are the Shannon Lectures from ISIT 1997, a message from our new Information Theory Society president Thomas Ericson, and an obituary marking the passing of Richard Hamming.
Please help me to make the Newsletter as interesting and informative as possible by contributing suggestions, news, and articles. The deadlines for receiving material for the next few issues are as follows.
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