Ed Bradley Dead: “Intelligent, Cool, A Great Reporter, Beloved & Respected…”

Katie Couric anchored a CBS News special report at 12:25pm. Here is the transcript:

“I’m Katie Couric in New York and we have sad news to tell you this afternoon that has left many here in the CBS family completely grief-stricken.

Ed Bradley, longtime CBS News and 60 Minutes correspondent, died this morning at Mount Sinai hospital here in New York due to complications related to leukemia. Ed Bradley was 65 years old. He had been with CBS News for 35 years, 26 years as a 60 minutes correspondent, and began at CBS radio. His first job, though, after college was as a sixth grade teacher. He was born in Philadelphia.

He was considered intelligent, smooth, cool, a great reporter, beloved and respected by all of his colleagues here at CBS News. At one time, he was a White House correspondent, and as we mentioned, for the past 26 years, a figure, a constant figure on 60 Minutes which, of course, is a fine broadcast.

He was a fine reporter and brought his unique sensibilities to every story he did, whether he was interviewing sports figures or doing political issues. Again, Ed Bradley died this morning at Mount Sinai hospital from complications due to leukemia. He was 65 years old. We’ll have much more tonight on the CBS Evening News. I’m Katie Couric, CBS News, New York.”