Washington, D.C. - Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi released the following statement tonight after Congressman Gary Ackerman announced he would not seek re-election this year:

'Congressman Gary Ackerman is a father and teacher, a proud son of New York's 5th congressional district, a strong advocate for his community, and a dedicated public servant. As an educator, as a State Senator, and as a longtime Member of the House, Congressman Ackerman has devoted his career to others - to improving the lives of students, workers, and families; to strengthening the economy to benefit our middle class; to advancing human rights, peace, and security for communities across the globe.

'A leading voice on foreign affairs, few match his knowledge of the Middle East and South Asia, and no one could ever doubt his unwavering commitment to peace between Israel and her neighbors and to a strong and thriving relationship between the United States and India.  As a senior member of the Financial Services Committee, he has helped shape our efforts to reform Wall Street, worked to protect consumers by requiring full disclosure of any changes to their credit reports, and championed a measure to prevent conflicts of interest by accounting firms; in the wake of Enron and other scandals, he acted to restore accountability to the accounting profession.

'Congressman Ackerman has made his mark at home and left a legacy of passionate, bold leadership abroad. He has served his constituents with distinction and pride, and earned the respect of his colleagues. We wish him and his family well in their future endeavors.'