Prior to today’s vote on a bill to legalize gay marriage, the New Jersey State senate paused to remember Garden State native Whitney Houston. The singing superstar and icon for many died Saturday the day before the Grammy Awards.

State Senator Ray Lesniak remembered being at the Giants/Bills Super Bowl in 1991 just after Desert Storm began. Houston sang the National Anthem. Her version was so popular it marked the only time the anthem cracked the Billboards Top 40.

Lesniak said, “May God grant her the happiness she couldn't find here on earth."

Beverly Hills police say Whitney Houston was under water and apparently unconscious when she was found in a hotel bathtub. Lt. Mark Rosen says the singer was found Saturday by a member of her personal staff at approximately 3:30 pm. Rosen says Houston was pulled from the tub by members of her staff, and hotel security was promptly notified.

Further details of Houston's death are not being released to preserve the integrity of the investigation. The coroner's office says toxicology testing is continuing.

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM