William M. Perkins ’72

William M. Perkins ’72, of New York City; May 15. He was a city councilman and state senator who fought for justice, equality, and reform. After graduating he returned to New York, working as a social worker and tenant advocate before his initial election to the City Council in 1997. He served for seven years, then worked as a state senator in Albany for a decade, and finally returned to the City Council for four more years. He was an outspoken advocate of the Central Park 5, who were eventually cleared after being wrongfully convicted. He sponsored the Childhood Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Act of 2004, forcing landlords to fix paint hazards, and as an Albany senator, he fought for reductions in sulfur in heating oil to reduce the risks of acid rain. In addition, he was christened “The Rat Man” by the Washington Post due to his persistence in trying to shrink the city’s rat population, which included leading legislation banning eating on the subways. He retired in 2021 after losing his seat. “He was a very dear friend,” said New York City Mayor  Eric Adams. “We lost a very strong, committed fighter for justice in the city.” He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and daughter Margaret Perkins ’08.