Sam Spade's San Francisco

"Today, broadcast journalism lost one of its giants, who will be remembered along with names like Edward R. Murrow, Walter Cronkite and David Brinkley. The city of Buffalo has also lost its favorite son, who loved his city and its hometown team, the Bills." — House Speaker and San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi

Tim Russert, the NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and longtime host of Meet the Press has died of a heart attack at the age of 58.

“a staggering, overpowering and sudden loss" - Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News

Those of us who have been fans of Meet the Press and Russert's astute political commentary on MSNBC will miss him deeply. He was a superb journalist, a keenly intelligent man and Tim Russert was an honest and good American.

“This is a tragic loss for journalism and for all who were privileged to know him" - Walter Cronkite

You can read more about his life and his death here on the MSNBC website.

"There wasn't a better interviewer in television. Not a more thoughtful analyst of our politics. And he was also one of the finest men I knew." — Senator Barack Obama

Following is the live broadcast of Tom Brokaw reporting Tim Russert's death today, Friday, June 13, 2008.



Also see Newsweek's tribute to Tim Russert here.

"Tim epitomized excellence in journalism and unflinching commitment to the craft. Our profession has lost a stellar journalist." — Sylvia Smith, president of the National Press Club.

Senator John McCain issued this statement:

Tim was a great journalist - tough yet always fair - and a great American who loved his family, friends, politics, and of course, his Buffalo Bills. Perhaps the life roles in which he took most pleasure were that of a father to his son Luke and as the son of Big Russ.

The relationship between father and child is a deep bond unlike any other and Tim certainly celebrated this bond with his books, Big Russ and Me and Wisdom of Our Fathers. Tim loved his family above all else and I think it is only fitting this Father's Day to honor his life.

I hope you will take time to watch this special video message and remember the life and legacy of a terrific father and son. Tim Russert leaves a legacy of integrity of the highest level of journalism and we will miss him deeply.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family on this Father's Day. And I know I speak for many in saying, Sunday mornings in America will not be the same without him.

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