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CBS News' longtime anchor Bob Schieffer is retiring this summer. The veteran journalist, who has been serving as moderator on "Face the Nation", announced the decision on Wednesday, April 8 at the annual Schieffer Symposium at Texas Christian University, his alma mater.

"Because that was where it all started for me, I wanted this to be the place, and I wanted you all to be the first to know that this summer I'm going to retire," he said. "It's been a great adventure. You know, I'm one of the luckiest people in the world because as a little boy, as a young reporter, I always wanted to be a journalist, and I got to do that. And not many people get to do that, and I couldn't have asked for a better life or something that was more fun and more fulfilling."

Schieffer later tweeted, "Great talking journalism at @TCU tonight. Also really happy to be in my hometown, where it all started, to announce my retirement."

CBS News President David Rhodes said in his memo, "[Schieffer]'s been an inspiration and a mentor to so many colleagues-- and frankly, to me. You could see at TCU tonight how that inspiration extends to a wider community of reporters and editors and academics."

Schieffer, who started his career as a journalist more than 50 years ago, joined CBS News in 1969. He served as anchor on the Saturday edition of "CBS Evening News" from 1973 to 1996 and has been serving as moderator on "Face the Nation" since 1991. During his career, he has interviewed every president since Richard Nixon, and moderated three presidential debates, in 2004, 2008 and 2012.

CBS is expected to announce plans for "Face the Nation" soon.