Statement from former NBCU Chairman & CEO Bob Wright on the passing of Tim Russert:

I met Tim when I first came to NBC 22 years ago. He was a fireball of news energy. He loved life, his wife Maureen and his son Luke. There was no news assignment that he wasn't part of. Our Washington Bureau was forever changed by his presence and management. Meet The Press was reborn with Tim and continues today as his signature program. Tim was a big part of the launch of MSNBC, the Today Show's political coverage, Nightly News, and all of NBC's political coverage. He was generous, thoughtful, inspired and a tireless journalist who will never be forgotten!