Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-jim-lehrer-is-being-remembered Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter How Jim Lehrer is being remembered Nation Updated on Jan 24, 2020 5:50 PM EDT — Published on Jan 23, 2020 3:40 PM EDT Politicians, fellow journalists and friends are remembering Jim Lehrer, NewsHour co-founder and longtime executive editor and anchor, as a legendary journalist. Lehrer died Thursday at the age of 85. Read some of the remembrances below: Judy Woodruff, PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer, our founding anchor died this morning. We are heartbroken here at the Newshour. Jim’s legacy of journalism is with us everyday. We want to send our love and deepest condolences to Kate, Jim’s wife, his children, his three daughters, and their grandchildren. Former President Bill Clinton I liked and admired Jim Lehrer. He believed news is a public good, not a commodity. And he was always completely on the level in reporting, interviewing, and moderating debates. His life was a gift that strengthened our democracy. I liked and admired Jim Lehrer. He believed news is a public good, not a commodity. And he was always completely on the level in reporting, interviewing, and moderating debates. His life was a gift that strengthened our democracy. pic.twitter.com/tXToso4aNK — Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 23, 2020 Former President Jimmy Carter Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jim Lehrer. America is fortunate to have had the benefit of his substantive, insightful reporting for so many years. We have lost a tenacious yet courtly journalist who always sought to present the facts in a balanced and objective manner. Our prayers are with his wife, Kate, and family at this time. Former Vice President Al Gore I’m deeply saddened about the passing of Jim Lehrer, an icon of American journalism. I knew Jim as a consummate professional, reporter, and debate moderator. His reliable voice and thorough coverage will be greatly missed. I’m deeply saddened about the passing of Jim Lehrer, an icon of American journalism. I knew Jim as a consummate professional, reporter, and debate moderator. His reliable voice and thorough coverage will be greatly missed. — Al Gore (@algore) January 23, 2020 Dan Rather, journalist In the trenches of electronic journalism over the decades, I met a lot of people. Few approached their work with more equanimity and integrity than Jim Lehrer. He was a gentlemen, and a helluva journalist. He will be missed. In the trenches of electronic journalism over the decades, I met a lot of people. Few approached their work with more equanimity and integrity than Jim Lehrer. He was a gentlemen, and a helluva journalist. He will be missed. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) January 23, 2020 Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state and first lady Jim Lehrer was a steady voice for truth, a prolific writer, and the soul of @NewsHour. We’ll miss him. Bill and I send our condolences to his family. Jim Lehrer was a steady voice for truth, a prolific writer, and the soul of @NewsHour. We’ll miss him. Bill and I send our condolences to his family. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 23, 2020 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. So sad to hear about Jim Lehrer’s passing. We’ll miss his commitment to public journalism and his knack of getting the story right with as many facts and as little bias as possible. Jim’s perspective on current events was incomparable. My thoughts are with his family. So sad to hear about Jim Lehrer’s passing. We’ll miss his commitment to public journalism and his knack of getting the story right with as many facts and as little bias as possible. Jim’s perspective on current events was incomparable. My thoughts are with his family. — Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) January 23, 2020 Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House Our nation has lost a champion for truth and transparency. As one of the founders of PBS NewsHour, as well as its longtime host, Jim Lehrer worked to keep America’s leaders accountable to the people. My prayers are with his wife, Kate, and their family. Our nation has lost a champion for truth and transparency. As one of the founders of PBS NewsHour, as well as its longtime host, Jim Lehrer worked to keep America’s leaders accountable to the people. My prayers are with his wife, Kate, and their family. https://t.co/5BU80D0u3p — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 23, 2020 Katie Couric, journalist In this age of bitterly partisan journalism, Jim Lehrer was an exemplar of fair, measured, objective reporting. He will be missed. In this age of bitterly partisan journalism, Jim Lehrer was an exemplar of fair, measured, objective reporting. He will be missed. https://t.co/9ddgNlPkEG — Katie Couric (@katiecouric) January 23, 2020 Bret Baier, journalist Truly a major loss — R.I.P. Jim Lehrer – a legend in our business & a very genuine, gracious man in person. One of the best debate moderators & an inspiration to a whole generation of political journalists— including this one. Truly a major loss — R.I.P. Jim Lehrer – a legend in our business & a very genuine, gracious man in person. One of the best debate moderators & an inspiration to a whole generation of political journalists— including this one. https://t.co/i6QtXjl1ix — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 23, 2020 Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia Sad day for all of America. Loved Jim Lehrer. He was so good to me, now thirty years ago, when I first started appearing on his show. A great time for us all to remember the value of his commitment to nonpartisan reporting and inquiry. Sad day for all of America. Loved Jim Lehrer. He was so good to me, now thirty years ago, when I first started appearing on his show. A great time for us all to remember the value of his commitment to nonpartisan reporting and inquiry. https://t.co/3pQqg7Ymoq — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) January 23, 2020 Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas Kansans are remembering longtime journalist and native Wichitan Jim Lehrer, who passed away earlier today. Known for his calm and steady delivery of the news, Lehrer co-founded the PBS NewsHour and moderated numerous presidential debates. Larry King, talk show host Jim Lehrer was one hell of a newsman and an industry standard for what a journalist should be. My condolences to his family and PBS colleagues. Jim Lehrer was one hell of a newsman and an industry standard for what a journalist should be. My condolences to his family and PBS colleagues. — Larry King (@kingsthings) January 23, 2020 Commission on Presidential Debates Jim Lehrer was a pioneer in the general election debates. As moderator of 12 CPD debates, he introduced new formats that significantly enhanced the educational value of these historic forums. America has lost an extraordinary journalist & a great patriot. Jim Lehrer was a pioneer in the general election debates. As moderator of 12 CPD debates, he introduced new formats that significantly enhanced the educational value of these historic forums. America has lost an extraordinary newsman and a great patriot. https://t.co/CNdHfHGoKF — CPD (@debates) January 23, 2020 Julian Castro, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development and mayor of San Antonio Jim Lehrer was a pioneer in the general election debates. As moderator of 12 CPD debates, he introduced new formats that significantly enhanced the educational value of these historic forums. America has lost an extraordinary newsman and a great patriot. Jim Lehrer was giant in journalism. He was also a legend at our high school alma mater, Jefferson High School in San Antonio. He inspired so many to pursue a career in journalism, and left an impact on many more who followed his reporting. https://t.co/oGBtqWjGwA — Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 23, 2020 The U.S. Marine Corps Jim Lehrer upheld the values of the Corps and truly embodied what it means to be a Marine. Semper Fidelis. Jim Lehrer upheld the values of the Corps and truly embodied what it means to be a Marine. Semper Fidelis. https://t.co/tFbkxIDf41 — USMC Recruiting (@USMarineCorps) January 24, 2020 Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister Jim Lehrer was a giant in journalism who delivered the news to millions with integrity & poise, setting a high bar for all who followed. My thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues, and all his adoring viewers. Jim Lehrer was a giant in journalism who delivered the news to millions with integrity & poise, setting a high bar for all who followed. My thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues, and all his adoring viewers. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 24, 2020 Alexander Cartwright, University of Missouri chancellor “I was fortunate enough to get to know Jim Lehrer during #Mizzou’s Hall of Fame and hear about the @mujschool’s impact on his remarkable career. He was an outstanding representative of the university and exemplified the excellence of our alumni.” “I was fortunate enough to get to know Jim Lehrer during #Mizzou’s Hall of Fame and hear about the @mujschool's impact on his remarkable career," Chancellor Cartwright said. "He was an outstanding representative of the university and exemplified the excellence of our alumni.” pic.twitter.com/ChxCpM78uG — Mizzou (@Mizzou) January 23, 2020 The PBS NewsHour’s Rebecca Newman and Gretchen Frazee contributed to this report. 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Politicians, fellow journalists and friends are remembering Jim Lehrer, NewsHour co-founder and longtime executive editor and anchor, as a legendary journalist. Lehrer died Thursday at the age of 85. Read some of the remembrances below: Judy Woodruff, PBS NewsHour anchor Jim Lehrer, our founding anchor died this morning. We are heartbroken here at the Newshour. Jim’s legacy of journalism is with us everyday. We want to send our love and deepest condolences to Kate, Jim’s wife, his children, his three daughters, and their grandchildren. Former President Bill Clinton I liked and admired Jim Lehrer. He believed news is a public good, not a commodity. And he was always completely on the level in reporting, interviewing, and moderating debates. His life was a gift that strengthened our democracy. I liked and admired Jim Lehrer. He believed news is a public good, not a commodity. And he was always completely on the level in reporting, interviewing, and moderating debates. His life was a gift that strengthened our democracy. pic.twitter.com/tXToso4aNK — Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) January 23, 2020 Former President Jimmy Carter Rosalynn and I are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jim Lehrer. America is fortunate to have had the benefit of his substantive, insightful reporting for so many years. We have lost a tenacious yet courtly journalist who always sought to present the facts in a balanced and objective manner. Our prayers are with his wife, Kate, and family at this time. Former Vice President Al Gore I’m deeply saddened about the passing of Jim Lehrer, an icon of American journalism. I knew Jim as a consummate professional, reporter, and debate moderator. His reliable voice and thorough coverage will be greatly missed. I’m deeply saddened about the passing of Jim Lehrer, an icon of American journalism. I knew Jim as a consummate professional, reporter, and debate moderator. His reliable voice and thorough coverage will be greatly missed. — Al Gore (@algore) January 23, 2020 Dan Rather, journalist In the trenches of electronic journalism over the decades, I met a lot of people. Few approached their work with more equanimity and integrity than Jim Lehrer. He was a gentlemen, and a helluva journalist. He will be missed. In the trenches of electronic journalism over the decades, I met a lot of people. Few approached their work with more equanimity and integrity than Jim Lehrer. He was a gentlemen, and a helluva journalist. He will be missed. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) January 23, 2020 Hillary Clinton, former secretary of state and first lady Jim Lehrer was a steady voice for truth, a prolific writer, and the soul of @NewsHour. We’ll miss him. Bill and I send our condolences to his family. Jim Lehrer was a steady voice for truth, a prolific writer, and the soul of @NewsHour. We’ll miss him. Bill and I send our condolences to his family. — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 23, 2020 Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. So sad to hear about Jim Lehrer’s passing. We’ll miss his commitment to public journalism and his knack of getting the story right with as many facts and as little bias as possible. Jim’s perspective on current events was incomparable. My thoughts are with his family. So sad to hear about Jim Lehrer’s passing. We’ll miss his commitment to public journalism and his knack of getting the story right with as many facts and as little bias as possible. Jim’s perspective on current events was incomparable. My thoughts are with his family. — Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) January 23, 2020 Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House Our nation has lost a champion for truth and transparency. As one of the founders of PBS NewsHour, as well as its longtime host, Jim Lehrer worked to keep America’s leaders accountable to the people. My prayers are with his wife, Kate, and their family. Our nation has lost a champion for truth and transparency. As one of the founders of PBS NewsHour, as well as its longtime host, Jim Lehrer worked to keep America’s leaders accountable to the people. My prayers are with his wife, Kate, and their family. https://t.co/5BU80D0u3p — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) January 23, 2020 Katie Couric, journalist In this age of bitterly partisan journalism, Jim Lehrer was an exemplar of fair, measured, objective reporting. He will be missed. In this age of bitterly partisan journalism, Jim Lehrer was an exemplar of fair, measured, objective reporting. He will be missed. https://t.co/9ddgNlPkEG — Katie Couric (@katiecouric) January 23, 2020 Bret Baier, journalist Truly a major loss — R.I.P. Jim Lehrer – a legend in our business & a very genuine, gracious man in person. One of the best debate moderators & an inspiration to a whole generation of political journalists— including this one. Truly a major loss — R.I.P. Jim Lehrer – a legend in our business & a very genuine, gracious man in person. One of the best debate moderators & an inspiration to a whole generation of political journalists— including this one. https://t.co/i6QtXjl1ix — Bret Baier (@BretBaier) January 23, 2020 Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia Sad day for all of America. Loved Jim Lehrer. He was so good to me, now thirty years ago, when I first started appearing on his show. A great time for us all to remember the value of his commitment to nonpartisan reporting and inquiry. Sad day for all of America. Loved Jim Lehrer. He was so good to me, now thirty years ago, when I first started appearing on his show. A great time for us all to remember the value of his commitment to nonpartisan reporting and inquiry. https://t.co/3pQqg7Ymoq — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) January 23, 2020 Rep. Ron Estes, R-Kansas Kansans are remembering longtime journalist and native Wichitan Jim Lehrer, who passed away earlier today. Known for his calm and steady delivery of the news, Lehrer co-founded the PBS NewsHour and moderated numerous presidential debates. Larry King, talk show host Jim Lehrer was one hell of a newsman and an industry standard for what a journalist should be. My condolences to his family and PBS colleagues. Jim Lehrer was one hell of a newsman and an industry standard for what a journalist should be. My condolences to his family and PBS colleagues. — Larry King (@kingsthings) January 23, 2020 Commission on Presidential Debates Jim Lehrer was a pioneer in the general election debates. As moderator of 12 CPD debates, he introduced new formats that significantly enhanced the educational value of these historic forums. America has lost an extraordinary journalist & a great patriot. Jim Lehrer was a pioneer in the general election debates. As moderator of 12 CPD debates, he introduced new formats that significantly enhanced the educational value of these historic forums. America has lost an extraordinary newsman and a great patriot. https://t.co/CNdHfHGoKF — CPD (@debates) January 23, 2020 Julian Castro, former secretary of Housing and Urban Development and mayor of San Antonio Jim Lehrer was a pioneer in the general election debates. As moderator of 12 CPD debates, he introduced new formats that significantly enhanced the educational value of these historic forums. America has lost an extraordinary newsman and a great patriot. Jim Lehrer was giant in journalism. He was also a legend at our high school alma mater, Jefferson High School in San Antonio. He inspired so many to pursue a career in journalism, and left an impact on many more who followed his reporting. https://t.co/oGBtqWjGwA — Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) January 23, 2020 The U.S. Marine Corps Jim Lehrer upheld the values of the Corps and truly embodied what it means to be a Marine. Semper Fidelis. Jim Lehrer upheld the values of the Corps and truly embodied what it means to be a Marine. Semper Fidelis. https://t.co/tFbkxIDf41 — USMC Recruiting (@USMarineCorps) January 24, 2020 Justin Trudeau, Canada’s prime minister Jim Lehrer was a giant in journalism who delivered the news to millions with integrity & poise, setting a high bar for all who followed. My thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues, and all his adoring viewers. Jim Lehrer was a giant in journalism who delivered the news to millions with integrity & poise, setting a high bar for all who followed. My thoughts are with his loved ones, colleagues, and all his adoring viewers. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 24, 2020 Alexander Cartwright, University of Missouri chancellor “I was fortunate enough to get to know Jim Lehrer during #Mizzou’s Hall of Fame and hear about the @mujschool’s impact on his remarkable career. He was an outstanding representative of the university and exemplified the excellence of our alumni.” “I was fortunate enough to get to know Jim Lehrer during #Mizzou’s Hall of Fame and hear about the @mujschool's impact on his remarkable career," Chancellor Cartwright said. "He was an outstanding representative of the university and exemplified the excellence of our alumni.” pic.twitter.com/ChxCpM78uG — Mizzou (@Mizzou) January 23, 2020 The PBS NewsHour’s Rebecca Newman and Gretchen Frazee contributed to this report. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now