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NYC Gazette

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Nydia Velázquez shares thoughts on Purim, Nita Lowey's passing, and prison reform

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U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez Serving New York's 7th District | Official U.S. House headshot

U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez Serving New York's 7th District | Official U.S. House headshot

Nydia Velázquez, a U.S. Congress member representing New York's 7th district since 1993, has shared several personal and professional reflections on social media. Her posts cover a range of topics from holiday greetings to expressions of grief and calls for systemic reform.

On March 14, 2025, Velázquez extended her wishes for the Jewish holiday Purim, stating "Wishing everyone a joyful and festive Purim! May this holiday bring you happiness, courage, and community. Chag Purim Sameach!"

Two days later, on March 16, she expressed sorrow over the passing of her colleague Nita Lowey. She wrote "I'm devastated by the loss of my dear friend Nita Lowey. Her leadership and kindness made it an honor to serve alongside her in the House. As the first woman to chair the Appropriations Committee, she broke barriers and paved the way for so many. May she rest in peace."

Later that day, Velázquez addressed issues within the prison system following the deaths of Robert Brooks and Messiah Nantwi. She commented "Robert Brooks & Messiah Nantwi should still be alive today. Their deaths are symptoms of a broken prison system that allows rampant abuse and neglect. This week I joined @JusticePolicy to call for real reforms that end this cruelty and bring accountability to NY state prisons."

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