U.S. Jewish groups and national and state leaders released statements marking the death on Saturday of Nita Lowey, a Democrat who represented New York for 32 years in Congress.
The former congresswoman, who died at 87, “embodied the highest ideals of both the American Jewish community and the American nation,” stated Harriet Schleifer and William Daroff, chair and CEO respectively of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
The Conference of Presidents leaders added that Lowey left “an indelible mark on American politics,” making history as the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee and the first female chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
She was also a “steadfast champion of the U.S.-Israel relationship,” who was “instrumental in advancing key legislation, including the Middle East Partnership for Peace Fund, one of the last bills she championed, which was later named in her honor,” they added, noting that she was a “proud Jewish American.”
“She was among the strongest advocates for the U.S.-Israel relationship in Congress, and her leadership, passion and dedication will be deeply missed,” they said.
AIPAC said Lowey was “an always dependable and effective leader in advancing the U.S.-Israel relationship.” The American Jewish Committee said she was “an irreplaceable champion of the Jewish people.”
Ted Deutch, the AJC CEO, stated that “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.”
Many members of Congress, among other officials, issued comments on Lowey’s death.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) said that she “stood as the epitome of public service in Congress.” Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) wrote that she “built a brighter, more hopeful future—for her beloved New York constituents and for all Americans.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, wrote that Lowey “was a dedicated and tireless fighter for New York.”
Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, said Lowey was “a staunch supporter of the U.S.-Israel special relationship” who “strengthened the alliance between our countries and always made sure Israel’s security is a top priority.”
Mark Mellman, president and CEO of Democratic Majority for Israel, said she was “a trailblazer, a devoted public servant and a champion of the U.S.-Israel relationship.”