Politics & Government

Lowey Named "Champion of Science"

The Science Coalition presented the “Champion of Science” award to Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY in recognition of her support for research in the fields of science, medical discoveries, and technological innovation.

 Lowey received the award, which recognizes Congressional members who fight for federal investments in basic scientific research. It joined was presented jointly on Monday by officials of three Science Coalition universities – Columbia University, New York University, and Pace University – at Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory in Palisades.

Lowey joins a group of more than 60 current and former members of Congress, who have been designated as champions of science,” since1999.

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“Scientific research not only saves lives, it is essential to the United States remaining a global leader in innovation and technology,” said Lowey. “It’s simple: federal investments in science are investments in cures, breakthroughs, and jobs.”

Lowey said she would continue to push for an agreement that ends the automatic spending cuts, which are impacting research jobs and threatening breakthroughs for years to come.

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“America’s great research universities are engines of innovation that not only drive our economy, but help solve society’s most urgent problems, from climate change to infectious disease,” said Columbia University President Lee C. Bollinger “We’re delighted to see Nita Lowey recognized for being a leading voice in Congress for investment in the basic and applied science research that is essential to our national strength and quality of life.”

New York University President John Sexton also brought up the importance of Lowey’s leadership on the Budget Conference and her support of funding health and science research.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Congresswoman Lowey representing New York in Congress.  She has long understood the direct connection between funding university-based research and the innovation economy," said New York University President John Sexton.   

Director of Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Dr. Sean Solomon said Lowey's sustained advocacy in the areas of environmental conservation and energy management at a time of profound global change was critical.

Science Coalition President Tim Leshan of Northeastern University noted that the congresswoman has been a steadfast supporter of biomedical research and of investments across the spectrum of scientific and engineering research. 

Lowey is a member of the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus. As a member of the Appropriations Committee she has advocated for increased federal investments in biomedical research on cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), whose budget she helped increase for cancer research by more than 10 times. Lowey also authored the 2008 Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Act, which guides federal research investigating the links between breast cancer and the environment.


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