    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 13, 2000]
    [Page 239]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Death of Charles M. Schulz, Jr.
    February 13, 2000

        Hillary and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Charles
    M. Schulz, Jr. On the day that our newspapers print his very last
    ``Peanuts'' strip, it is especially poignant that we mourn the passing
    of Charles Schulz himself. For 50 years, his keen eye, his good and
    generous heart, and his active brush and pen have given life to the most
    memorable cast of characters ever to enliven our daily papers. The
    hopeful and hapless Charlie Brown, the joyful Snoopy, the soulful
    Linus--even the ``crabby'' Lucy--give voice, day after day, to what
    makes us human.
        Today, in his final strip, Charles Schulz writes, ``Charlie Brown,
    Snoopy, Linus, Lucy . . . how can I ever forget them. . . .'' We can say
    with certainty that we will never forget them, or their creator, or the
    many gifts he has given us all.
        Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jeannie, and their children.