2011 Lincoln Leadership Prize Recipient

Tim Russert

Tim Russert is remembered by most of us for his objective brand of journalism exhibited through his work as NBC Washington Bureau Chief and host of Meet the Press. Prior to his time at NBC, Russert served as Chief of Staff to New York U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and later as counsel to New York Governor Mario Cuomo.

Every day, at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois, Russert lives on for visitors who enter "The Campaign of 1860" exhibit that replicates a contemporary television news control room where they see a 21st-century news broadcast by Tim Russert. Throughout his career, Russert was the recipient of many awards, and in 2008, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He authored two books: a best-selling autobiography titled Big Russ and Me (2004), and Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons (2005).

Tim Russert's award was presented posthumously and accepted by his wife, Maureen Orth and son, Luke.