Dan Rather signs off 'CBS Evening News'

Published Thursday, Mar 10 2005, 00:23 GMT | By James Welsh
Dan Rather stepped down from the CBS Evening News anchor chair on Wednesday evening, 24 years to the day after taking over from legendary newsman Walter Cronkite.

Rather closed his final newscast with the following statement:

"We have shared a lot in the 24 years we've been meeting here each evening. And before I say good night, this night, I need to say thank you.

"Thank you to the hundreds of wonderful professionals at CBS News, past and present, with whom it has been my honour to work, over these years.

"And a deeply-felt thanks to all of you who have let us into your homes, night after night. It has been a privilege, and one never taken lightly.

"Not long after I first came to the anchor chair I briefly signed off using the word "courage." I want to return to it now, in a different way.

"To a nation still nursing a broken heart for what happened here in 2001 and especially those who found themselves closest to the events of Sept. 11; to our soldiers in dangerous places; to those who have endured the tsunami and to all who have suffered natural disasters and who must find the will to rebuild; to the oppressed and to those whose lot it is to struggle, in financial hardship or in failing health; to my fellow journalists in places where reporting the truth means risking all; and to each of you.

"Courage.

"For the CBS Evening News, Dan Rather reporting.

"Goodnight."

CBS News correspondent Bob Schieffer will anchor the newscast while CBS prepares to retool its evening news programme.
More about these subjects
More: US TV

Top Stories

Play online games
Try your luck at Bookworm and dozens more now
DS Competitions
Win £3,000 of vouchers from Thomson or First Choice.
S12 T2.2327661514282 {run_id}