Veteran Politician Charles Rangel, who served in the New York Representative seat for 4 decades, passes away at 94 years old
Veteran Congressman Charles Rangel Passes Away at 94
Former New York Representative Charles Rangel, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a House veteran for over four decades, passed away on Monday at the age of 94.
Known as the "Lion of Lenox Avenue," Rangel, a Democrat, served in the House from 1971 until 2017. During his tenure, he held the position of chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee for part of his time in Congress.
"A towering figure in American politics and a champion for justice, equity, and opportunity, Congressman Rangel dedicated over four decades of his life to public service," his family announced in a statement.
Throughout his career, Rangel achieved numerous firsts, most notably becoming a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971, and in 2007, he made history as the first African American to chair the Ways and Means Committee.
However, Rangel's tenure was marred by an ethics scandal in 2010. He was accused of 13 counts of ethics violations, including failure to report income and assets, and improper use of a rent-stabilized apartment as a campaign office. Despite his emphatic denial of any wrongdoing, the House Ethics Committee found him guilty of 11 ethics violations, and the House subsequently voted to censure him.
Despite this scandal, Rangel was reelected and continued to serve until his retirement in 2017. He remains widely respected despite the controversy. As he was being censured, he reflected on his life, mentioning his service in the Korean War, for which he received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with Valor, and stating he had not had a bad day since.
After leaving Congress, Rangel served as statesman-in-residence at The City College of New York. The institution recognized his accomplishments on its website, noting him as "one of the hardest working legislators in Congress." The college also revealed that Rangel's legacy continues through the school's Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service, which trains new generations of public servants.
Following the news of Rangel's death, tributes poured in from political leaders, including the Congressional Black Caucus, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
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."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries honored Rangel, acknowledging his service in the military and Congress in a post on social media. Jeffries referred to Rangel as a "transformational force of nature" who left Harlem, New York City, and America better for his service.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on social media that Rangel "was a great man, a great friend, and someone who never stopped fighting for his constituents and the best of America."
[Enrichment Data Relevance: The ethics scandal associated with Rangel is relevant to understanding the controversies that marked his final years in Congress and the circumstances surrounding his retirement. While not the central focus of the article, it is briefly addressed to provide context for the reader.]
Political leaders, including members of the Congressional Black Caucus, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, expressed their condolences following the death of Charles Rangel, noting his significant impact on policy-and-legislation and his role as a champion for justice in general-news. Despite a controversial ethics scandal in 2010, Rangel's legacy continues to resonate in the realm of politics, with his contributions to policy and pursuit of justice serving as an enduring testament to his life of public service.
