Former New York Rep. Charles Rangel, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus who spent more than four decades in the House, died on Monday, according to his family.
After leaving Congress, Rangel served as statesman-in-residence at The City College of New York, its website said.
The Congressional Black Caucus mourned the passing of one of its “trailblazing” founders, calling him “the very definition of a life devoted to public service.”
May he rest in power and everlasting peace,” Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke said in a statement.
“Throughout his decades of public service, Chairman Rangel was a skilled, relentless advocate for justice, for equality and for the people of Harlem,” Pelosi said in a statement.
A former representative from New York. Charles Rangel passed away on Monday, according to his family. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and served in the House for more than 40 years. He was ninety-four years old.
From 1971 to 2017, Rangel, a Democrat, was a member of the House, serving in part as the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
In a statement regarding his passing, his family said, “Congressman Rangel was a legendary figure in American politics who devoted more than forty years of his life to public service as a champion for justice, equity, and opportunity.”.
Known as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” by his Harlem district, Rangel accomplished a number of noteworthy firsts during his 46 years in Congress, including becoming the first Black chair of the Ways and Means Committee in 2007 and being a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971.
Amidst an ethics scandal for breaking House rules, he resigned as head of the Ways and Means Committee. Rangel vehemently denied any misconduct despite being charged with 13 counts of breaking those regulations. Rangel was censured after it was determined that he had broken eleven different House rules, which was a public humiliation in the chamber.
He became the first member of the House to be censured in almost 30 years as a result of that vote, making him the 23rd.
Rangel was still highly regarded even after becoming involved in the scandal, as he was reelected and served two more terms in Congress. He discussed how he was wounded during the Korean War, for which he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor, and how he hasn’t had a bad day since being censured.
According to its website, Rangel was a statesman-in-residence at The City College of New York after leaving Congress.
According to the college’s website, “Rangel was a war hero, history-making congressman, and master lawmaker.” He was also “recognized as one of the hardest working legislators in Congress,” the college added. “.”.
His family further stated that the Charles B. School continues his legacy. New generations of public servants are still inspired and trained by the Rangel Center for Public Service. “.
“Transformational force of nature.”.
People who worked with the former congressman and those who appreciated the work he did sent tributes after hearing of his passing.
In their condolences, the Congressional Black Caucus described one of its “trailblazing” founders as “the very definition of a life devoted to public service.”. “.
“His legacy is characterized by his unwavering commitment to justice and equality, historic firsts, and tireless advocacy.”. “May he rest in peace and power forever,” Yvette Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, said in a statement.
In a post on X, House Minority Leader and fellow New Yorker Hakeem Jeffries paid tribute to Rangel Monday morning, recognizing his service in Congress and the military.
“Mr. A great patriot, hero, statesman, leader, innovator, change agent, and advocate for justice, Charlie Rangel was exceptional. One of nature’s transformative forces was the Lion of Lenox Avenue. His service has made Harlem, New York City, and America better today. Jeffries wrote, “May he rest in power forever,” on X.
Chuck Schumer, the Senate’s minority leader, wrote on X Monday that Rangel “was a great man, a great friend, and someone who never stopped fighting for his constituents and the best of America.”. “.”.
He leaves the world in a far better state than when he found it, Schumer said, adding that the list of his accomplishments could fill pages.
Rep. Rangel was referred to as “an impactful legislator and a lifelong voice for the voiceless and champion of the oppressed” by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “,”.
In a statement, Pelosi said, “Chief Rangel was a skilled, unrelenting advocate for justice, for equality, and for the people of Harlem throughout his decades of public service.”. “May his devoted wife Alma, their cherished kids Steven and Alicia, and the whole Rangel family find solace in the fact that so many people are praying for them during this difficult time and lamenting their loss.”. “.
