"The Queens community, and the entire city, have lost an iconic leader with the passing of former Council Member and District Leader Archie Spigner. I offer my prayers of peace, comfort and condolence to his family and community. As the first Black man elected to the City Council from Queens, he served as both a groundbreaking leader in his own right and a driver of progress for Black leaders to come who benefitted from his guidance and example.
"He was a trailblazer who became a mentor, a pioneer who became a steward, and his dedication to the people of Queens was enduring and absolute across his decades of service. I am honored to have been able to get to know him, and to have chaired the Housing and Buildings Committee over which he presided for years. The Dean's impact will long continue- on the people of our city and Southeast Queens in particular, on generations of leaders he inspired and empowered, and on all those who were lucky enough to have his presence in our lives."