Vonnegut commented that he would have been proud had the words been his .
Despite a follow - up article by Schmich on August 3 , 1997 , the story became so widespread that Vonnegut 's lawyer began receiving requests to reprint the speech .
Vonnegut commented that Vonnegut would have been proud had the words been Vonnegut 's .
Despite a follow - up article by Schmich on August 3 , 1997 , the story became so widespread that Vonnegut 's lawyer began receiving requests to reprint the speech .