Abstract
As the Journal of Literacy Research (formerly Journal of Reading Behavior) commemorates its 30th anniversary, this article offers a collection of reflective essays written by past presidents of the National Reading Conference, the journal's parent organization. They write with reference to the year they served as president of the organization and consider such issues as the nature and character of the organization at that time and the major research topics under investigation. The compilers of the essays attempt a synthesis of the reports that focuses on recurrent themes and issues as the organization and the field of inquiry have evolved over time.