October 22, 2007, the late Tim Russert addressed the Public Relations Society of America’s international conference in Philadelphia. In his memory, and as an effort to promote the tenets he enthusiastically practiced and communicated, www.tracyplaces.net is highlighting brief excerpts from my notes that Sunday afternoon in our nation’s birthplace.

About America’s dependence on foreign oil:

“We are capable of the Manhattan project — the science is there — we lack political will.”

Remember, this was last October. Well before gasoline prices reached $4 per gallon. Russert understood how Beltway politics ultimately affect Buffalo — and “regular guys” across the country.