ISRAELI STATESMAN SHIMON PERES

I was saddened to learn of the death of Israeli President and Prime Minister Shimon Peres.  On assignment to Tel Aviv for CBS News, I covered a press conference at his party headquarters back in 1982.  Chaos reigned as news reporters including me were trying to set up our microphones to record the event.  Mr. Peres seemed very amused at the pandemonium and, as I was positioning my microphone at his desk from where he was to address the throng, he looked at me and said, "Welcome to Israel!!"  He just seemed like a regular guy who enjoyed a good laugh.

Welcome to Heaven, Sir.  Please Rest in Peace.  And thank you for your efforts to bring peace to the Middle East.  Godspeed.