Longtime NY Lawmaker Barbara Clark Dies At Age Of 76

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Barbara Clark, a longtime lawmaker from Queens, has died at the age of 76.

New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie says Clark died Monday after an illness.

Heastie called Clark a "beloved member'' of the Assembly who was dedicated to improving the lives of New Yorkers, particularly when it came to public education and health care. She served on several committees during her legislative career, including ones focused on education, labor and children. She was a former chairwoman of the Legislative Women's Caucus.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is also from Queens, offered his condolences.

"She was a legend in Queens. She was a great public servant for many, many years," Cuomo said, WCBS 880's Peter Haskell reported. "She's going to be missed. Our condolences go to her family and to her friends and to the people in her district."

Republican Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan, a former member of the Assembly, was sworn in alongside Clark nearly 30 years ago. He called her a  "passionate advocate'' for her district.

Clark was born in West Virginia. She and her husband, Thomas Clark, have four children and two grandchildren.

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