Lowey Honored by Society for International Development

Press Release

Lowey Honored by Society for International Development

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) last night was honored by the Society for International Development at the Society's 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. The Society recognized Lowey as a "passionate advocate for strengthening international developmental assistance who understands our global connectedness and the reality that instability abroad undermines security at home."

"Today we face enormous challenges on which meaningful progress will be measured on a generational scale," Lowey said. "But let it be our duty as human beings to do our part. And though it may not be our privilege to see the good end of these labors, let it be our mission to make a good beginning."

In videotaped, live, and written statements, a number of dignitaries paid tribute to Congresswoman Lowey. Below is a sampling of the tributes.

President Clinton said, "When I was President, I was grateful to have [Congresswoman Lowey] as a partner in Congress as we championed education, gun safety, and women's rights here at home and sought to improve global health, democracy, and human rights, especially for women and girls, around the world. Today, Hillary is glad to have a remarkable ally in the House as you continue to fight for people in every corner of the globe. We have felt privileged to have your friendship over the years, and we know that our state, country, and world are blessed to have your leadership."

Speaker Pelosi said, "As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I saw first hand [Congresswoman Lowey's] tireless advocacy on behalf of the poorest people in the world…In [her] new role as Chair of the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, [she] brings tremendous expertise to the challenge of making our foreign assistance initiatives more effective."

U2 lead singer and activist Bono said of Congresswoman Lowey, "What amazing things you've achieved. A million Africans on AIDS drugs, when people told us it couldn't happen. Billions of dollars of bad debt canceled and put back into helping kids in school and providing immunizations…I don't know what they put in the water up there in your New York district, but it must be some crazy mix of Leadership, Compassion, Humor, and Smarts…Nita, I'm honored to stand with you on some of the defining work of our generation, and to call you my friend."

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