Editor’s Note: Nita Lowey, D-New York, died Saturday of breast cancer. She was 87.
NEW YORK (Press Release) –With deep sorrow, American Jewish Committee (AJC) mourns the loss of former Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a true friend to AJC and an irreplaceable champion of the Jewish people.
Throughout her tenure in Congress and long after, Nita was a dedicated, passionate leader on many issues championed by AJC. She was a trusted friend, colleague, advisor, and standard-bearer for the Jewish community and the U.S.-Israel relationship. She was co-Dean of the New York Congressional Delegation and the first woman to Chair the House Committee on Appropriations and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC).
AJC was honored to recognize her decades of tireless dedication to this work with AJC’s Congressional Leadership Award in 2007, which recognizes Members who have demonstrated a commitment to international human rights and political and religious freedom, as well as friendship toward Israel and the Jewish people, and a Lifetime Distinguished Leadership Award at AJC Westchester/Fairfield’s 2023 Gala.
“I had the distinct honor and privilege of not only calling Chairwoman Nita Lowey a colleague, but a dear friend,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “During my time in Congress and after, she was an incredible mentor, and I am so fortunate to have witnessed her at work on the House floor, at home, and around the world. She made history as the first woman to chair the powerful House Appropriations Committee, and I was proud to work with her to found and co-chair the House Bipartisan Task Force to Combat Antisemitism. Her legacy will live on not only through all the colleagues she mentored and legislation like the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, but also in all the people her work has helped and will continue to help here at home and around the world. Nita loved AJC and the Jewish people, and I hope through our collective efforts, we, too, can help honor her memory.”
The Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act, a transformative law, continues to be central to AJC’s advocacy as we work to build trust and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, and strive for a more peaceful and interconnected Middle East.
AJC is holding Steve Lowey, a longtime AJC Board of Governors member, and the Lowey family in our hearts. May her memory and inspiration be an eternal blessing.
*
Preceding provided by American Jewish Committee