Archie Spigner Post Office Building

ARCHIE SPIGNER POST OFFICE BUILDING -- (House of Representatives - September 13, 2004)

Mr. TURNER of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4632) to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 19504 Linden Boulevard in St. Albans, New York, as the "Archie Spigner Post Office Building".

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, as a member of the House Committee on Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleague in consideration of H.R. 4632, legislation designating the United States postal facility in St. Albans, New York, after Archie Spigner. This measure, which was unanimously reported by our committee on July 21, 2004, was introduced by the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks) on July 21, 2004. H.R. 4632 enjoys the support and cosponsorship of the entire New York delegation.

A native New Yorker, Archie Spigner was born and educated in New York. He was called early on into the world of politics and community activism.

In 1974, Mr. Spigner began his first term as a city councilman from Southeast Queens. As a member of the New York City Council, Mr. Spigner chaired the committees on Housing and Building, Economic Development, and the Legislative Office of Budget Review.

As a result of his legislative prowess, he was able to assume the post of deputy majority leader, the second highest position in the New York City Council.

Mr. Spigner served on the advisory board of the National League of Cities, the City Council Budget Negotiating Team, and liaison for the Queens delegation. As district leader and executive member of the Guy R. Brewer United Democratic Club, Mr. Spigner was instrumental in electing the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Assembly member, State Senator, and Congress member in the Borough of Queens.

He was also instrumental in the campaigns for the Honorable David Dinkins, former mayor of the City of New York; the Honorable Percy Sutton, former Manhattan borough president, the Honorable Carl McCall, former state comptroller; former Congressman Floyd H. Flake; and my friend and colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks).

Archie Spigner retired from the New York City Council in 2001; and although retired, Mr. Spigner is still involved in politics and community affairs.

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Meeks), for seeking to honor this political legacy of City Council Member Archie Spigner in this manner. I urge swift passage of H.R. 4632.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, we have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of my time.