The following statement was issued by Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright on the death of Marriage Equality Champion and Civil Rights Defender Edie Winsor:

“Today, I am saddened by the passing of the peoples champion, my dear friend and LGBT activist Edith "Edie" Windsor. She was the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court of the United States case United States v. Windsor, which successfully overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act which was a landmark legal victory for the same-sex marriage movement in the United States. Edie is an example of a fighter who took on the U.S. government and won! She is an inspiration, icon and leader for the LGBT community and I am fortunate to have known her as a friend and supporter. She will be dearly missed and my thoughts are with Judith Kasen-Windsor, her family and friends," said Assembly Member Rebecca A. Seawright.