A Cold Day in Buffalo

As many of you know already, Tim Russert passed away in the early afternoon for Friday, June 13th. He was a passionate follower of all things political, and many people I am sure have spoken with more eloquence on his accumen in that arena. He was honored, revered, and feared by those that sat across the table from him for the past 17 years. He made the arcane workings of the American political system understandable to those of us that around the kitchen table, and held those who held public office accountable for their words and actions. He was never mean spirited or offensive, but tough and fair-minded.

He learned the values of hard-work, discipline and preparation at the feet of his father, whom he and the rest of the world would call Big Russ. Born into a working class family from South Buffalo, the roots planted here grew to one of the most influential voices in journalism. His honor, and ethics will live on in the legacy that is his son, Luke, whom Western New Yorkers will embrace the way they embraced and cherished his father. Tim Russert will be greatly missed, because he was greatly loved.

So today, Buffalo is a little colder, a little grayer, and a little sadder for the loss of a favorite son. But, as we have done on so many cold days over so many years, we will hunch our shoulders, draw each other up tightly, and move ahead. I think Tim would approve.