J 1558 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Mourning the death of Margaret D. Williams, legendary vocalist and community leader

This is a commemorative Senate Resolution (J 1558) honoring Margaret D. Williams, a Coney Island community leader and member of the doo-wop group The Cookies, who passed away in January 2026. The resolution recognizes her musical legacy - including chart-topping hits like "Chains" and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction - and her decades of community service, including 33 years with NYC Health and her work with the Coney Island History Project. It serves as a symbolic tribute from the legislature, expressing condolences to her family and celebrating her life’s impact. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.
Bill status passed 3 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
Governor
Introduced Feb 5, 2026 Last action Feb 10, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
ADOPTED
upper
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO FINANCE
upper
1 primary · 62 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton
DDemocratic
NY
23
Co
Photo of Alexis Weik
Alexis Weik
RRepublican/Conservative
NY
8
Co
Photo of Andrea Stewart-Cousins
Andrea Stewart-Cousins
DDemocratic/Working Families
NY
35
Co
Photo of Andrew Gounardes
Andrew Gounardes
DDemocratic
NY
26
Co
Photo of Andrew Lanza
Andrew Lanza
RRepublican/Conservative/Independence/Reform
NY
24
Co
Photo of April Baskin
April Baskin
DDemocratic
NY
63
Co
Photo of Bill Weber
Bill Weber
RRepublican/Conservative
NY
38
Co
Photo of Brian Kavanagh
Brian Kavanagh
DDemocratic
NY
27
Co
Photo of Chris Ryan
Chris Ryan
DDemocratic
NY
50
Co
Photo of Cordell Cleare
Cordell Cleare
DDemocratic
NY
30
Co
Photo of Dan Stec
Dan Stec
RRepublican/Conservative/Independence
NY
45