AJC Honors Congressman Ritchie Torres with Nita M. Lowey Congressional Leadership Award

American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, today honored Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY) with the AJC Nita M. Lowey Congressional Leadership Award, recognizing the Congressman's fearless advocacy for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The award was presented at AJC Global Forum 2025 in New York.

In recognition of her unparalleled legacy as a fierce champion of the Jewish community, Israel, international human rights, and religious freedom, the award was renamed this year to honor the legacy of AJC's dear friend, Chairwoman Nita Lowey. First presented in 2001, the Nita M. Lowey Congressional Leadership Award recognizes Members of Congress who work to build bridges, strengthen alliances, and elevate leaders who carry forward Chairwoman Lowey's legacy of moral clarity and unwavering resolve. Previous honorees include Sen. Joseph Liberman, Sen. John McCain, Rep. John Lewis, then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. John Danforth, and Sen. Richard Lugar.

"The future of the Middle East does not belong to the Islamic Republic and its empire of terror. The future of the Middle East belongs to Israel and the Abraham Accords. The future of the Middle East does not belong to hate. The future belongs to hope: hatikva," said Congressman Torres. "In the grand sweep of history, in the millennia long Maccabean marathon that is the story of the Jewish people, we are as close as we have ever been to realizing the Abrahamic dream of a world where all the children of Abraham Jews, Christians and Muslims, can coexist in peace and prosperity. A durable peace is possible, and we as Americans, in the greatest country on Earth, have the power - indeed the responsibility - to make it so and make peace."

AJC CEO Ted Deutch, who served in the House of Representatives from 2012-2022, said, "I had the privilege of serving with Ritchie, and from firsthand experience, I can tell you his allyship, courage, and moral compass are unwavering. His actions align with the values that drive AJC's mission every day. Ritchie has been a strong voice demanding the return of the hostages, affirming his unwavering support for Israel, in denouncing antisemitism, and standing up for and with the Jewish community. Thank you, Ritchie, for your extraordinary leadership - especially during this most trying time for the Jewish community. I'm excited to continue this important work together."

Deutch continued, "I also had the honor of calling Chairwoman Lowey a mentor and a friend. It is only fitting that the first recipient of this newly named award is someone who so clearly embodies Nita's values and legacy."

In bestowing this honor, AJC Honorary President John Shapiro said, "From the very beginning of his public service, Congressman Torres has been a fearless advocate for justice and a passionate friend of the Jewish people. At a time when moral courage matters more than ever, he has never wavered in standing up for truth, for Israel, and for the values we share. Whether in his unwavering defense of the U.S.-Israel relationship, his vocal opposition to antisemitism in all its forms, or his belief in the dignity and rights of all people, Ritchie leads with heart, with conviction, and with an unshakable sense of purpose."

Accepting the award, Congressman Torres reflected on his long-standing relationship with AJC, noting, "AJC has been an unfailingly unifying force in a time of division and polarization. It's been an institutional voice of cool and calm reason in an age of red hot passions. AJC plays the long game, refusing to be distracted by the pettiness and partisanship of our present politics."

AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org .

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