WASHINGTON – March 16, 2025 – Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations, made the following statement on the death of former Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), the first woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee and an enthusiastic and effective supporter of public media.
“America’s Public Television Stations are deeply saddened by the passing of former Congresswoman Nita Lowey, an extraordinary legislator and champion of public broadcasting.
“Among many other accomplishments, Congresswoman Lowey led efforts to protect public media against various attacks over several decades. She recognized the essential services that local public television stations provide in the areas of education, public safety and community connections and she successfully coordinated bipartisan support to protect that work.
“Public television is lucky to have had the support of Congresswoman Lowey. And on a personal note, as a young congressional aide staffing House Appropriations Committee hearings and markups, I was inspired by Congresswoman Lowey’s warmth, intellect and steely resolve. She led with strength and kindness but stuck to her principles and achieved her goals.
“America’s Public Television Stations were honored to present Congresswoman Lowey with the 2006 Champion of Public Broadcasting Award and the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award.
“On behalf of America’s Public Television Stations, I extend our deepest sympathies to Congresswoman Lowey’s family, friends and large network of former staff and supporters. We were honored to know her and work with her.”
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About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and community connections to their local areas and the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
Contact:
Stacey Karp
202-654-4222
skarp@apts.org