Rep. Lowey Honored for Support of Scientific Research

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - The nonpartisan Science Coalition Monday presented Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) with its Champion of Science Award in recognition of her commitment to funding scientific research. The award was presented jointly by officials from three Science Coalition universities, Columbia, New York University and Pace, at an event at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades, New York.

At the awards ceremony, from left: Jonathan H. Hill, associate dean, Pace University, Sean Solomon, director of Lamont-Doherty, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and Kurt Becker, associate provost for research, New York University.
Photo Credit: *Contributed*

by The Daily Voice

Content Partner: Pace University

In accepting the award, Lowey said, “Because of the leadership of Columbia, Pace and NYU, our region has become a hotbed for cutting-edge scientific research, which is a major driver of job creation in the Lower Hudson Valley. “

The coalition noted that Lowey has a long legislative history of supporting global health and biomedical research, consistently advocating for robust federal support for targeted research initiatives. As a longtime member of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus, she has fought for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, helping double NIH funding in the 1990s and early 2000s. In addition, she has been a leader in the fight against breast cancer, authoring the Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act in 2008. She has also consistently advocated for STEM education initiatives to build a technologically and scientifically advanced future workforce and enhance America’s ability to compete globally.

“I would like to thank Congresswoman Lowey for her leadership and ongoing support in Congress, in particular in the area of higher education research funding. She is a true Champion of Science,” said Pace University President Stephen J. Friedman. “Without her voice it would be a challenge for Pace students, who represent the great middle class of American education and the aspiring heart of America, to assume leadership roles that are essential to creating jobs, stimulating the economy and keeping America competitive.”

The Science Coalition is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization of the nation’s leading public and private research universities. Its Champion of Science Award recognizes members of Congress whose actions and votes consistently reflect their belief that basic scientific research, conducted at universities and national labs across the country, is essential to the nation’s ability to address pressing issues in health, security, energy and the environment, and additionally, that a strong federally supported basic research enterprise drives innovation that fuels the U.S. economy. Congresswoman Lowey joins a distinguished group of more than 60 current and former members of Congress who have received this award since 1999.