[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.