Luke Russert

Luke Russert is the son of recently passed NBC newsman Tim Russert. The younger Russert recently graduated from Boston College and was in Italy with his mother, Vanity Fair correspondent Maureen Orth, at the time of his father's death.

Luke Russert, an avid sports fan, began hosting an XM Satellite Radio broadcast with Democratic political pundit and spinmeister James Carville in 2006.

Since his appearance on The Today Show following his father's death, many are calling for Luke Russert to be the replacement for his father's position on Meet the Press.

The following are excerpts from Russert's eulogy for his father at Washington DC's Holy Trinity Church.

• "In my 22 years, I have never met anybody filled with so much optimism, who not only loved the good parts of life, but also its challenges. The ability of the human spirit to withstand tragedy always interested my father, and he firmly believed that with faith, friends and a little folly, anybody could withstand anything."

• "My dad was a force of nature, and now his own cycle in nature is complete, but his spirit lives on in everybody who loves their country, loves their faith and loves those Buffalo Bills. I love you, Dad."

• People.com: Tim Russert: The Father's Day That Wasn't (June 15, 2008)

• Boston.com: This Russert Will be Interrogating Athletes on Radio (February 5, 2006)

• XM Radio: James Carville and Luke Russert to Host Radio Sports Program (January 23, 2006)

• Google News Search: Luke Russert

• MSNBC: Luke Russert Honors Dad at Memorial (June 18, 2008) (Time: 8:02)

• <iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/25250597#25250597" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

• The Today Show: Tim Russert, Portrait of a Family Man (June 15, 2008) (Time: 5:25)

• <iframe height="339" width="425" src="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22425001/vp/25159358#25159358" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

• YouTube: Luke Russert on "Morning Joe" (July 27, 2007) (Time: 2:23)

• Google Image Search: Luke Russert