Luke Russert

Confirming rumors that have been swirling around for weeks, NBC News executives today announced that Luke Russert (son of the late Tim Russert) will be joining the network's deep roster of political correspondents. His first assignment, according to today's press release, will be as a correspondent at large focusing on youth issues at the upcoming DNC and RNC conventions.

More from the release:

Luke Russert recently graduated from Boston College with a double major in History and Communications. Since March of 2006, he has co-hosted the critically acclaimed sports radio talk show "60/20 Sports" with political pundit James Carville on XM Satellite Radio. On "60/20 Sports" he has interviewed the likes of former President Clinton, former President George Bush, Bill Russell, Cal Ripken Jr. and Lance Armstrong. Luke is the son of the late Tim Russert and of Vanity Fair writer Maureen Orth.

Yesterday afternoon, politicians, journalists, news executives, friends and family members gathered at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for a 90-minute memorial service honoring the late Tim Russert.

The moving ceremony reached an emotional peak when Mr. Russert's 22-year-old son Luke took the stage and spoke eloquently about his father's unfailing optimism, his faith in God, and his enthusiasm for life.

"Great men often lead with their egos," said Luke Russert. "Tim Russert led with his heart, his compassion, and, most importantly, his honor. He had a great time living, and is no doubt having the time of his life now in heaven.  read more »

Another tribute to the late Tim Russert, this time from Late Night with Conan O'Brien on Hulu.com. On Friday, just a few hours after Mr. Russert's death was announced, Mr. O'Brien said in his monologue, "This is pretty shocking for us He's been a pretty good friend to me and us here at the show." Mr. O'Brien added that Mr. Russert's son, Luke, had been one of his show's interns last year.

Mr. O'Brien praised Mr. Russert by saying, "From the moment I met him, he put me at ease. I always told him countless times, he reminded me of my Irish Catholic uncles: Big head"—here he gestured to indicate he meant big in size, not in self-regard— "big laugh, huge heart."  read more »

This morning, Luke Russert made an appearance on NBC's Today where he spoke to Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera about his late father, Tim Russert, who passed away of a heart attack on Friday afternoon.

The segment began with a moving photograph, taken by the Associated Press on Sunday morning, which captured Luke standing in the Meet the Press studio in Washington D.C., with his hands resting on his father's empty anchor's chair.

“I’m going to keep that chair forever,” Luke Russert told Mr. Lauer this morning. “That’s my chair now.”