It is a great honor for me to be asked to present the Agnes Henebry Roll of Honor award to Judy Canter. In fact the granting of this award is a thrill for the entire San Francisco Chronicle.

I quote from a memo written by Executive Editor Phil Bronstein and sent to the entire staff:

“We are very pleased to announce that our own Judy Canter has been named the winner of the 2003 Agnes Henebry Roll of Honor Award, an international honor in her field….

To those of us who've depended on Judy to make us look good in our work, none of this is surprising news. But it is, nonetheless, a great tribute to Judy from her colleagues worldwide…. Please join me in congratulating Judy for this richly-deserved recognition.”

The Chronicle’s David Perlman, dean of American science writers wrote that it’s

“High time a library person around here got honored!  From this seat you all are better than the Boy Scout pledge -- to be helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. -- (well, maybe not the last!)….”

Colleague and great friend Linda Amster of The New York Times mentions her marriage to Donald -- such a love affair! – and her magnificent devotion to him during his long illness.

Don died in 2002 as did her mother, who was in her 90's and was, by all accounts, a very active, vital and loving woman just like Judy.  

Linda also told me that when she first met her, she was Judy Gerritts.  They went to lunch and Judy told her how smitten she was with New York City.  She was planning to leave San Francisco and in fact all set to do so. 

And then Don asked her out and virtually on the first date Judy changed her plans and decided to stay. She weighed her options and realized there was no contest between her choices of a life with Don or a new career move!

But instead of reading quotes all evening, I thought I could do something else for this great friend and colleague. 

Many of you know that I’ve written a song from time to time commemorating one thing or other. I’ve played banjo and guitar --stealing from folk music, blues or western music.

But none of those styles would fit a lady as classy as Judy, especially in New York City.     So…. My apologies to -- Cole Porter  

(You’re the Top) At words poetic I'm so pathetic That I always have found it best Instead of getting 'em off my chest, To let 'em rest - unexpressed. I hate parading my serenading, As I'll probably miss a bar, But if this ditty is not so pretty, At least it'll tell you how great you are. -------------------------------------- You’re the Top! You’re the Henebry winner You’re the Top! You’re the toast of dinner You’re a melody from a symphony, of News You’re the finest thing Our Division’s seen You’re the ONE we choose! -------------------------------- You’re the Queen Of news in Frisko You’re a traveler’s dream Where we wish we could go You’re the toast of every European spot From Holland, France and Spain You’re the top ----------------------------------------- From Wisconsin roots, Took the world by storm Put on your boots Knew what you were born From Vienna down to London town, on to the Houston Chron To Miami News Examiner dues To San Francisco’s Chron --------------------------------------- You’re the Top! You’re the Agnes winner You’re the Top! You’re the star of dinner Enjoy the moment, paint the town, let the champagne pop We newsies have decided You’re the top!

Judy Canter Responds

WOW...thank you all so much, and Richard, I will never forget this. You can see why my job is fun, working with him.   You know, I have always loved NYC, and even though I will be working until Oct. 2004, this will be my last conference as I want one of my very favorite cities to be the final conference for me.  Nothing against Nashville, but this is it.  And, Jody, thank you so much for making this such a magical night for me.  The city, the boat trip, the joyful spirit, the dinner...as I said, a magical night.  This organization and this division has meant so much to me since I joined in 1968 and attended my first conference in Los Angeles.  And it's meant so much to me professionally and socially.  Whether I needed help on a project or wanted to have a fun time, this division was the facilitator.  Mention a city to me, Pittsburgh, Boston, Atlanta, New Orleans, Seattle, Washington D.C., San Francisco, etc., and I can tell you a special happening from the conference.

I'm such a lucky person to be doing this work as a newspaper librarian, and I've always been so proud of our work, as I hope you all are.  We are never "just the librarian", but we are such contributors to our work place.  Thank you again.  This has been so wonderful, and, Richard, thank you.  'You're the Top' has always been one of my favorite songs, and to have it sung to me has been a great experience.