“Judge Judith Kaye was a towering figure in New York State and I am deeply saddened at her passing. As the first woman to serve on the New York State Court of Appeals and the first woman appointed as Chief Judge, Judith Kaye helped move our state forward on a wide variety of social and legal issues, including  juvenile justice, rights for gay couples, capital punishment and creating specialized courts to focus on issues such as domestic violence, chemical addiction and mental health. My thoughts are with her family and friends during this sad time, though I hope they take solace in knowing that Judge Kaye’s legacy will live on and her dedication to this state will help inspire generations of New Yorkers to serve this great state and the cause of justice.”