Legislation to Designate Road Near SUNY Geneseo 'Savannah Marie Williams Memorial Highway" is Signed into Law

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R-C-I, Elma) and Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R-C, Caledonia) announce legislation (S.6823/A.8818) to designate a portion of state route 63 in the Town of Geneseo as the "Savannah Marie Williams Memorial Highway" has been signed into law by Governor Cuomo.  Williams, an 18-year-old freshman at SUNY Geneseo, was killed in a car accident on December 20, 2016 while leaving campus to travel home for the holiday season.

Williams majored in biochemistry and dreamed of working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help find a cure for cancer.  She was also a member of the SUNY Geneseo basketball team and was active in other school organizations.

"This highway designation will serve as a tribute to Ms. Williams and the positive impact she had on fellow students, teammates, faculty, staff and all who knew her,” Senator Gallivan said.  “I am thankful that we are able to honor her memory in this way.”  

Senator Gallivan sponsored the highway designation bill in the Senate and Assembly Member Byrnes sponsored it in the Assembly.

“I hope this helps her family heal and I look forward to the signage being installed,” Assembly Member Byrnes said. 

Senator Gallivan and Assembly Member Byrnes worked closely with SUNY Geneseo President Denise Battles in crafting the legislation.

Savannah is survived by her parents, Mark and Shari, and two older brothers, Alexander and Zachary.  She was born in Hamilton, New York and raised in Norwich, New York.