Resolution Adopted In Honor Of Tim Russert

Senate Resolution No. 6613


MOURNING the untimely death of journalist Tim
Russert, a Buffalo native and renowned host of "Meet
the Press"

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the
memory of cherished citizens of the State of New York who distinguished
themselves in their profession and whose talent, wit, charm, intellect
and unique personality permeated all they did; and

WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Timothy John Russert Jr. who
died on Friday, June 13, 2008, in Washington, DC, at the age of 58; and

WHEREAS, Regarded as one of the best political reporters in America,
Tim Russert had a reputation for hard-hitting coverage that cut through
the spin and uncovered the truth; he was one of America's most
influential journalists working in Washington; and

WHEREAS, As NBC's Senior Vice President and Washington Bureau Chief,
Tim Russert helped shape the way today's news is reported and analyzed;
he was a fixture in American homes on Sunday mornings and especially on
election nights; and

WHEREAS, As Managing Editor and Moderator of "Meet the Press" since
1991, he headed one of the most popular and most often quoted news
programs on the air; a political analyst for "Today," anchor of CNBC's
"The Tim Russert Show," and MSNBC contributing anchor, he brought his
insight and intelligence to a global audience; and

WHEREAS, Tim Russert's quick wit, warm humor and gregarious nature
shed an irreverent light on the Washington scene, even as he unraveled
its most intricate complexities; and

WHEREAS, A true child of Buffalo, New York, Tim Russert was born on
May 7, 1950; he graduated from Canisius High School, John Carroll
University and, with honors, from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law;
furthermore, he was admitted to the bar in both the State of New York
and the District of Columbia; and

WHEREAS, Before joining NBC, Tim Russert observed firsthand the
inner workings of the executive and legislative branches of government
as special counsel to United States Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, and
counselor to New York State Governor Mario Cuomo; and

WHEREAS, Tim Russert chose to honor his father and write a book
about growing up in blue-collar Buffalo in the 1950s and 1960s; Big Russ
& Me, released May 10, 2004, tells not of Washington insiders, but of
his roots and the lessons taught by his father and reinforced by his
neighborhood and his Jesuit teachers, who taught him not what to think,
but how, lessons he passed on to his own son, Luke; and

WHEREAS, Tim Russert loved his family, his faith, his country, and
politics; in addition to his son, Luke, he is survived by his loving
wife, Maureen Orth, his father, Tim Russert, and his three sisters; and

WHEREAS, Every citizen in New York State and the Nation has most
certainly benefited, in one way or another, from the intelligence and
insight that Tim Russert brought to his audience; and

WHEREAS, Named by Time magazine as one of the Top 100 most
influential people in the world for 2008, Tim Russert was the recipient
of numerous professional awards and honorary college degrees; he also
won an Emmy for his role in the coverage of President Ronald Reagan's
funeral in 2004; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body representing the people of this great
Empire State remembers and honors Tim Russert's purposeful life and
distinguished career, and extends its sincere condolences to his family,
friends and colleagues; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of journalist Tim Russert, a Buffalo native and
renowned host of "Meet the Press"; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Tim Russert.


*ADOPTED UNANIMOUSLY BY THE NEW YORK STATE SENATE--JUNE 17, 2008