    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [February 1, 1997]
    [Pages 103-104]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Herb Caen
    February 1, 1997

        Hillary and I were saddened to learn of the passing of Herb Caen,
    the San Francisco Chronicle's legendary columnist, and we extend our
    condolences to his family, friends, and most of all, the city he loved.
    Maybe it's not right to call an ``institution'' someone who deflated
    many

    [[Page 104]]

    overstuffed institutions with a brisk three dots, but surely no one knew
    better the vibrancy and eccentricities of the city, his city, San
    Francisco, than did Herb Caen. If we listen carefully on those cool
    mornings when the fog has boiled through the Golden Gate, out beyond the
    clattering of cables underfoot and the low moan of the horn at Alcatraz,
    maybe we will still hear Herb Caen's wonderful, witty, irrepressible
    voice. Herb Caen . . . he will be missed . . . a lot.