In White House tradition, Cheney signs off on press corps

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/18/art.cheney.cnn.jpg caption="The soon-to-be former Vice President made sure to leave a permanent mark at the White House Sunday."]WASHINGTON (CNN) - Vice President Dick Cheney’s place in history still remains to be judged, but the soon-to-be former Vice President made sure to leave a permanent mark at the White House Sunday.

In keeping with a long-standing tradition of the White House press corps, Vice President Cheney signed the wall in the basement that lies beneath the White House briefing room. The basement was once a swimming pool that was built for President Franklin Roosevelt, and years later was covered over to make room for the press.

The tile sides of that pool remain as part of the walls of the basement and has been signed by many members of the press, celebrities who visit the White House, and of course, members of the administration. Famous signatures include Bono, Sugar Ray Leonard, and First Lady Laura Bush.

Vice President Cheney quietly came into the briefing room Sunday morning with two members of his Secret Service detail. He signed his name next to that of his wife Lynn Cheney, who had previously autographed the famous swimming pool walls.