WITHIN MINUTES BEFORE HE DIED, I took this picture of a group of Muslims praying in a place called First Amendment Plaza, a fair-sized concrete space in front of Independence Hall in which assembled people are allowed to speak their minds, their hearts and their faith. Because they are in America.

Tim Russert would have loved this because that's what he was all about. He loved the difference within America. He loved the nooks and crannys. He was a student of the electorate. And he loved America like he loved the Bills.

Imagine an Eagles fan who ended each Sunday's Meet the Press program, after grilling politicians until they were filleted, and then happily declared, "Go Eagles." That was Tim Russert every week about his hometown Buffalo Bills. And I not only respected him for that, I loved him for it. He was a hometown guy describing America to itself and he always sounded honest, sincere and personal.

Ya never know when we'll lose someone we love. And we never lose them, but we will be denied the pleasure of their company, until we meet again. That's what I believe. There's got to be some Valhalla, where an Eagles fan can sit across from a Bills fan in the Superbowl and both home teams win.

Clark DeLeon
Philadelphia