Congresswoman Nita Lowey Stand for Wolves (Full)
938 views · Published 17 June 2015 · 14:13 · Indexed 31 October 2026
Channel: Wolf Conservation Center · 2015 · Pets & Animals
On Sunday May 17th, Ambassador Wolf Atka turned 13 years old! The confident and charismatic ambassador has won the hearts and minds of tens of thousands of people in his 13 years, so it was no surprise that families came out in droves to celebrate Atka and his wild kin at a birthday reception featuring special guest U.S. Representative Nita Lowey at Winston, a popular New American restaurant in downtown Mount Kisco, NY! Well over 100 guests buzzed about adorned in “Happy Birthday, Atka!” and “I Stand for Wolves” stickers while enjoying delicious appetizers, crafting birthday cards, and more. But the highlight of the event was Atka’s visit and inspirational remarks by Rep. Nita Lowey, a leading Congressional proponent of wildlife and environmental protection. Responsible for passing appropriation bills along with its Senate counterpart, the United States House Committee on Appropriations is charged with regulating expenditures of money by the government of the United States. As such, it is one of the most powerful of the committees, and its members are seen as some of the most critically influential in our nation. At the beginning of the 113th Congress, Rep. Nita Lowey was selected by her colleagues to be the first woman to serve as Ranking Democrat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee. During the reception the Congresswoman spoke to enthusiastic constituents of all ages, and in her remarks recalled visiting the WCC with her grandchildren when Atka was just a pup! She went on to explain the significance of her role on the House Appropriations Committee as it relates to wolves specifically. In 2011, federal protection afforded by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was stripped from wolves of the Northern Rockies by an unprecedented act. Wolves were “delisted” via a congressional rider attached to a must-pass appropriations bill marking the first time in history a species was removed from the ESA via an act of Congress rather than federally mandated scientific analysis. Lowey expressed her disapproval for such political maneuvers and assured that she will continue to stand strong to prevent history from repeating itself during upcoming appropriations debates. Guests applauded Lowey’s commitment to stand for wolves, and Atka gave her an appreciative nod. Howls of thanks to Winston, Earthjustice, and all who came out to celebrate and fight to preserve wolves’ rightful place in the environment!
