As we approach the end of the year, we too approach the end of State Senator Betty Little’s 25-year career in the New York State Legislature. During my tenure as state senator, I have been lucky not only to call Senator Little a colleague who I share a district with, but also a trusted friend and mentor.

In a recent interview, Senator Little was asked about what she wanted her legacy to be. Her answer was simple—and it was that she wanted to be remembered as “someone who made a difference.” To the people she represents, she has done much more than that. She has been their voice, their advocate and a reliable ally whenever they reached out for help. Whether it was through her time as an educator or her 25 years spent as a member of the New York State Legislature, Senator Little will forever be remembered for her dedication to those she served.

When I head back to Albany in January, it certainly won’t be the same without Senator Little, but I am grateful for her friendship and the legacy she leaves behind, which has undoubtedly made the North Country a better place.