Buffalo, N.Y., Jun 19, 2008 / 18:09 pm
The Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Buffalo has created a “Tim Russert Making a Difference Fund” to support Catholic elementary schools.
Several winners of the annual Making a Difference Award, which was established by Russert in 2001, expressed gratitude for his work and voiced their condolences for the newscaster and political commentator whom Bishop Edward Kmiec of Buffalo called “a gracious son of Buffalo” and a strong supporter of Catholic education.
“His commitment has been evident every year since 2001 when he began the Sister Lucille Socciarelli/Father John Sturm Making a Difference Award, honoring an outstanding Catholic elementary school teacher in the diocese,” the bishop said in a Saturday statement lamenting the passing of Russert.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Tim Russert, a gracious son of Buffalo who was a highly respected journalist and dedicated member of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Bishop Kmiec described Russert as a “strong supporter” of Catholic education in the Diocese of Buffalo, noting that the newscaster had graduated from West Seneca’s St. Bonaventure Catholic Elementary School and Canisius High School in Buffalo.