Legendary CBS anchor Walter Cronkite dies at 92 | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Saturday, July 18, 2009

New York, NY CBS vice president Linda Mason says Cronkite died at 7:42 p.m. after a long illness with his family by his side.

He was the face of CBS News from 1962 to 1981, when stories ranged from the Kennedy assassination to Watergate and the Iranian hostage crisis.

Statement from the President on the passing of Walter Cronkite

For decades, Walter Cronkite was the most trusted voice in America. His rich baritone reached millions of living rooms every night, and in an industry of icons, Walter set the standard by which all others have been judged.

He was there through wars and riots, marches and milestones, calmly telling us what we needed to know. And through it all, he never lost the integrity he gained growing up in the heartland.

But Walter was always more than just an anchor. He was someone we could trust to guide us through the most important issues of the day; a voice of certainty in an uncertain world. He was family. He invited us to believe in him, and he never let us down. This country has lost an icon and a dear friend, and he will be truly missed.

Governor Schwarzenegger Issues Statement Regarding Death of Walter Cronkite

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the death of Walter Cronkite:

"For decades, Walter Cronkite was the fixture in American living rooms whose reassuring voice reported on some of the most important moments in our nation's history. He was the most trusted man in America who calmly explained monumental events such as the Vietnam War, Watergate, and the moon landing - events that shaped and defined a generation. Walter remains the benchmark for what it means to be a television journalist and he will be missed. Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our sadness over his passing and we send our thoughts and prayers to Walter's family and friends."

The following are statements from ABC News' anchors and ABC News President David Westin on the passing of Walter Cronkite:

ABC News President David Westin:

"Walter Cronkite set an example for all broadcast journalism by simply doing his best to tell us the truth about things that matter, with courage and without partisanship. We will miss him, but will seek to keep his spirit alive by following his example."

ABC News Anchor Charles Gibson:

"Walter Cronkite was and always will be the gold standard. His objectivity, his even-handedness, his news judgment are all great examples. He, as much as anyone, is responsible for developing network television news. He set the standard. He told it 'the way it is' and all of us who are privileged to work in this business owe him an enormous debt of gratitude."

ABC News Anchor Diane Sawyer:

"He was the defining anchor of America's story – reminding us of what we can be at our best.

He had depth, foreign reporting experience, endless excitement about the news, and an irresistible irreverence.

A call, a note, a compliment from Walter was pretty much the Nobel Prize for a young reporter. I am so lucky to know what it was to be part of the Cronkite team."

ABC News Anchor Barbara Walters:

"There never was and there never will be another Walter Cronkite. We trusted him and that trust was well founded. He was also a jolly and supportive friend. He will be missed by each of us individually who knew him and by the whole country who loved him."