NBC's Tim Russert Dies

NBCs Tim Russert Dies (Washington, DC) -- NBCs Washington bureau chief Tim Russert has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 58. Russert was one of the most recognizable figures in the nations capital. The longtime host of NBCs Meet the Press, Russert was a very tough interviewer and a man of very good cheer. Russert was highly visible as a co-moderator of a number of debates during this years primary election season. Russert was the Washington bureau chief for NBC News. He was also a best-selling author, having written a book about his father, entitled "Big Russ and Me -- Father and Son -- Lessons of Life." Russert was born in Buffalo and was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills. Before joining NBC News, Russert worked for former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and the late New York Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. A statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Russert a "warm and gracious family man with a great zest for life and a passion for his work." Bio-Information Longtime NBC Newsman Tim Russert Dies NBCs Washington bureau chief Tim Russert has died of a heart attack. The longtime "Meet The Press" host was 58-years-old. He joined NBC news in 1984 and took over at "Meet the Press" in 1991. The show is the longest running program in the history of television. Russert was the recipient of 48 doctorates. In 2008 Time Magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He received an Emmy for his coverage of former President Ronald Reagans funeral, and the Joan S. Barone Award for his interviews with Al Gore and George W. Bush. After joining NBC news in 1984, Russert supervised live broadcasts of NBCs "Today" show from Rome and secured an appearance with Pope John Paul II in 1985, a first for American Television. In 1986 and 1987 Russert led NBCs weeklong broadcasts from South America, Australia and China. Before joining NBC, Russert was a counselor in the New York governors Albany office 1983 and 1984. From 1977 to 1982 he was special counsel in the U.S. Senate. Russert also wrote two books, "Big Russ and Me" released in 2004, and "Wisdom of Our Fathers" in 2006. They were both on the "New York Times" best seller list. Tim Russert was born in Buffalo, New York on May 7th 1950. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-06-13-08 1505CDT