A Louisiana professor is in heady company, honored by having one of three newly identified species of snakes from the Galapagos Islands named after him. “They named one after Charles Darwin — that’s a no-brainer — and one after the Greek god of fire, and one after me, of all people,” said Robert A. Thomas, an environmental biologist and head of head of the Center for Environmental Communication at Loyola University New Orleans. The snake in question, a handsome critter with lengthwise brown and creamy yellow stripes, is called Pseudalsophis thomasi. “I’ve got a picture of it taped up here in the office, and it makes me smile every time I look at it,” Thomas said.
Drowning is a danger few South Floridians ever think about, though it is the second leading cause of injury-related deaths among children and a study shows minorities face an even higher risk.
It's why Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer Cullen Jones spent time at the Hank Kline Boys and Girls Club in Miami on Monday.
"This is something that's natural for me," Jones said. "I can really tell people this is important."
Sixty to 70 percent of African-American and Hispanic children don't know how to swim, according to a study by USA Swimming.
The shocking statistic inspired Jones to become the face of the 'Make A Splash Tour,' USA Swimming's campaign teaching kids across America about the importance of swim safety. The program also offers free or low-cost lessons.
Jones nearly drowned himself when he was 5 years old after flipping over on a water slide. Luckily, a lifeguard saved him and his mother immediately enrolled him in swim lessons.
"I could've died that day," he said, admitting he still thinks about the feeling of drowning when he gets in the pool today. He says it helps him relate to children who have a hard time overcoming their fear of the water.
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"A lot of people have to get over that hurdle," Jones explained. "I did, and it's very easy to do. It's just getting swim lessons."
