'George' staffers remember JFK Jr.

The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The September issue of George Magazine will hit newsstands next week just as the late John F. Kennedy Jr. left it.

"Many of you asked us how we plan to pay tribute to John in our pages. The answer is we've left this issue of George as it was before John's death because it was the last one he edited," the staff said in "A Letter for the Editor."

Much of the October issue will be devoted to commemorating JFK Jr., said Lisa Dallos, director of media relations for the magazine.

JFK Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette died in July when the plane he was piloting crashed off the shore of Martha's Vineyard.

In the letter, ordinarily written by JFK Jr., the staff noted that people often asked if their famous editor really was involved in the magazine's production.

"Everyone who works at George has heard the question a hundred times, 'Does he ever come into the office?' " the letter said. "We would respond with a mixture of courtesy, because he was gracious and would expect the same of us; a little bit of humor, because it was a funny question, if you knew the truth; and a touch of frustration because he worked hard and made sacrifices for George."

The letter described just how involved Kennedy was with the magazine:"John was the co-founder, editor-in-chief, and president of this magazine, but the confusion about his role was understandable, because nobody expects celebrities to hold day jobs. Truth is, John had a hand in every aspect of creating and producing George -- the big picture and the daily details."

The September issue is due on newsstands Tuesday. The issue includes an interview with Attorney General Janet Reno, articles on Rob Lowe and Elizabeth Dole.

"He edited George because the magazine manifested certain beliefs he wanted to promote. That for all its imperfections, politics is a noble profession, and given his unique perspective on and place in the political world, he could make a difference by saying so," the letter said.

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