Queens, New York – Assemblyman David Weprin issued the following statement in response to the death of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam:

“I was saddened to hear of the death of Judge Sheila Abdus-Salaam, Associate Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, late yesterday. As the first African-American woman and Muslim appointed to New York State’s Court of Appeals; her life stood as a testament to equality, truth and public service. I send my condolences to her loved ones as well as to our larger New York community on the loss of a compassionate pioneer. Her passing is tragedy for all those who fight for justice.”