Betsy Fischer spoke at Tim Russert's memorial service Wednesday afternoon at the Kennedy Center. Watch the speech below (transcript below):
Trancript of Betsy Fischer's speech:
BETSY FISCHER, EXEC PRODUCER, MEET THE PRESS: Hi. I'm Betsy Fischer
and I'm the executive producer for "Meet the Press" and I've work with
Tim for the past 17 years. Almost every morning for the last 10
years, Tim would call at exactly 9:00 a.m. and say, "Hey, Beth, what
do you know?" His voice always beaming with excitement, ready to start
the day preparing for the show. What I wouldn't give for that phone
call tomorrow morning. I'd happily suspend all talk of news,
politics, and Washington gossip and I'd tell him some thing that I've
come to know since last Friday afternoon.
I'd say there is a nation mourning the loss of a great man and an
extraordinary journalist. I'd say there are millions who feel they've
lost a trusted friend. I'd say there is a news division that feels
like we've lost our soul, our moral compass, our glue. I'd say there
is a son, your son, that has comforted us and lifted us up with his
strength. He is your true legacy and you'd be so proud of him as you
always, always are.
And after you heard my morning rundown, you'd say this is all part of
life. We have to move forward, lean on each other, and cherish all
the good times and live every day to its fullest. But, live it with
honor and integrity, and always reach down to help someone else up.
You'd say take these incredible lessons of life that I leave with each
of you and live them as you remember me. And I believe every word
because in the 17 years that I've had the great honor to work with you
and learn from you, you have never once steered me wrong.
(APPLAUSE)