CNN

NBC's David Gregory, left, shakes hands with Tom Brokaw on the set 'Meet the Press' Sunday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Venerable newsman Tom Brokaw handed the reins of NBC’s “Meet the Press” over to David Gregory, marking a generational shift at the Sunday morning institution.

Brokaw, who was named the interim host of the talk show after Tim Russert died in June, encouraged Gregory, 38, to bring a new generation of voices to the program, which has been on the air since 1947.

“I really encourage you to reach to your generation and get some fresh new voices who are out there because it’s a very impressive crowd of young journalists who are coming of age.”

Gregory said he was humbled that he was succeeding Brokaw, the former NBC anchorman.

"This is an incredible honor, and to have it come from you is also really special because of what you've meant to me in the course of my career here and the course of my life," Gregory told Brokaw.

Gregory said he would try to live up to the legacy established by Russert, who hosted “Meet The Press” for 17 years.

"I'm not Tim, but, along with this great team, I can just work real hard to make him proud."