I was watching the news last night when I learned of the death of newsman Tim Russert at the age of 58. I didn't know Mr Russert personally, I only knew him through his body of work(i/e Tv, newspaper, books). As I watched the tributes flash across the television screen, those from friends, family, and co-workers I was able to draw some conclusions. Mr Russert was a man of who valued family and friends, and the bonds of love and friendship that were formed from these relationships. He was a man of values and integrity, and defended a persons right to speak his opinion whether he personally agreed with it or not. He held the people who were our leaders to a higher standard, and when they made questionable decisions he made them accountable for their position. Also there was talk of Mr Russerts work ethic, which in part was formed in his earlier years as a middle-class Irish Catholic born and raised in Buffalo New York. It would be a cornerstone to his reputation throughout his entire life. I recently wrote a poem about how we will be remembered, and what will be said at our passing. I am not famous like Mr Russert, nor do I believe I will ever be. Also being a realist I know I will never achieve that level of notoriety, I guess though deep down we hope that at least we made the world a little bit better for those people that we came in contact with. I know Tim Russert did, and for that I thank him.