[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 50 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Page 2623]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Retirement of Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz

December 15, 1999

    Like all readers of ``Peanuts,'' I was saddened by the news that 
Charles M. Schulz will retire his beloved comic strip on January 4. But 
every one of his fans understands that this difficult decision is the 
right one for Mr. Schulz's health and for his family.
    The characters Charles Schulz created are more than enduring icons. 
Charlie Brown, Linus, Snoopy, Pig Pen, and Lucy taught us all a little 
more about what makes us human. Virtually every day for a half-century, 
Charles Schulz has shown us that a comic strip can transcend its small 
space on the page. It can uplift; it can challenge; it can educate its 
readers even as it entertains us. ``Peanuts'' has done all of these 
things. I wish Charles Schulz a speedy recovery and a fulfilling 
retirement.