“Latin’s not dead. It’s just Roman around”

Is Latin a dead language?  “Latin isn’t dead. It’s just ‘Roman’ around,” Sen. Charles Hagel (R-Neb.) said in 2004. It’s likely that Hagel heard the joke from another source.
 
     
21 March 2004, Los Angeles (CA) Times, “The Race to the White House: Campaign 2004,” pg. A37, col. 2:
Sen. Charles Hagel (R-Neb.) also chose a pun: “Latin isn’t dead. It’s just ‘Roman’ around.”
     
31 March 2004, Roll Call (Washington, DC), “Schumer’s Stargazing” by Ed Henry, pg. 1:
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) was kind enough to include an autographed photo with this joke: “Latin isn’t dead. It’s just ‘Roman’ around.”
         
The Journal Times (Racine, WI)
Latin program barely hanging on in Unified
BY PAUL SLOTH
Journal Times May 26, 2008
(...)
Stone responds with a joke when asked if Latin is dead.
 
“Latin is not a dead language. It’s just Roman around,” she said, holding back her laughter.
 
Twitter
Joana‏
@JoFU14
Latin isn’t dead its just Roman around.
5:23 AM - 19 Jun 2011
 
Twitter
Antioxidant 2.0‏
@Nrf2ville
Here is a groaner for ya: “Latin isn’t dead, it’s just Roman around” - Chuck Hagel
2:03 PM - 31 Jul 2011 from Midland, MI
 
Twitter
Sam B‏
@sambankson
Latin isn’t dead; it’s just Roman around
2:42 PM - 28 Jul 2012
 
Twitter
SWGS Classics‏
@SWGSClassics
Latin’s not dead
It’s just Roman around
5:17 AM - 1 Feb 2015
 
Reddit—Jokes
Latin’s not dead,
submitted September 2, 2017 by GoodDayBoy
Its just ROMAN around