Former New York Rep. Charles Rangel, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus who spent greater than 4 a long time within the Home, died on Monday, in line with his household. He was 94 years previous.
Rangel, a Democrat, served within the Home from 1971 till 2017, spending a part of his tenure because the chairman of the Home Methods and Means Committee.
“A towering determine in American politics and a champion for justice, fairness, and alternative, Congressman Rangel devoted over 4 a long time of his life to public service,” his household mentioned in a press release about his loss of life.
Rep. Charles Rangel sits within the viewers through the presentation ceremony of the Congressional Gold Medal on the Emancipation Corridor of the Capitol Customer’s Middle, June 27, 2012, on Capitol Hill.
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Whereas in Congress, Rangel — sometimes called the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” by his Harlem district — achieved many notable firsts throughout his 46 years in Congress: he was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and have become the primary Black chair of the Methods and Means Committee in 2007.
He stepped down from main the Methods and Means Committee amid an ethics scandal for violating Home guidelines. Rangel was accused of 13 counts of violating these guidelines, however emphatically denied any wrongdoing. In the end, Rangel was discovered to have violated 11 separate guidelines of the Home and was censured — a public shaming within the properly of the chamber.
That vote made him the twenty third member of the Home to be censured — and the primary in almost 30 years.
Rep. Charles Rangel speaks throughout a listening to earlier than the Home Methods and Means Committee, June 4, 2013, on Capitol Hill.
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Nonetheless, after being embroiled within the scandal, Rangel was reelected and went on to serve two extra phrases in Congress — and was nonetheless extensively revered. As he was censured, he talked about being wounded within the Korean Battle — for which he acquired a Purple Coronary heart and Bronze Star with Valor — and never having one other unhealthy day since.
After leaving Congress, Rangel served as statesman-in-residence at The Metropolis School of New York, its web site mentioned.
“Rangel was a battle hero, history-making congressman, and grasp lawmaker,” the faculty wrote on its web site, later including that he was “acknowledged as one of many hardest working legislators in Congress.”
His household added that his legacy lives on by way of the varsity’s Charles B. Rangel Middle for Public Service, “which continues to encourage and practice new generations of public servants.”
‘Transformational pressure of nature’
After information of his loss of life, tributes got here in from those that labored with the previous congressman and people who valued the work he did.
The Congressional Black Caucus mourned the passing of one in all its “trailblazing” founders, calling him “the very definition of a life dedicated to public service.”
“His legacy is one in all tireless advocacy, historic firsts, and unwavering dedication to justice and equality. Could he relaxation in energy and eternal peace,” Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke mentioned in a press release.
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rep. Charles Rangel hearken to Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell previous to a discussion board on manufacturing, April 27, 2004, on Capitol Hill.
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Home Minority Chief and fellow New Yorker Hakeem Jeffries honored Rangel Monday morning, acknowledging his service within the army and Congress in a publish on X.
“Rep. Charlie Rangel was an outstanding patriot, hero, statesman, chief, trailblazer, change agent & champion for justice. The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational pressure of nature. Harlem, NYC & America are higher as we speak due to his service. Could he perpetually relaxation in energy,” Jeffries posted on X.
Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer posted to X on Monday that Rangel “was an excellent man, an excellent pal, and somebody who by no means stopped combating for his constituents and one of the best of America.”
“The listing of his accomplishments may take pages, however he leaves the world a a lot better place than he discovered it,” Schumer mentioned.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the previous speaker of the Home, referred to as Rangel “an impactful legislator and a lifelong voice for the unvoiced and champion of the oppressed.”
“All through his a long time of public service, Chairman Rangel was a talented, relentless advocate for justice, for equality and for the individuals of Harlem,” Pelosi mentioned in a press release. “Could it’s a consolation to his loving spouse Alma, their beloved kids Steven and Alicia and the whole Rangel household that so many mourn their loss and are praying for them at this unhappy time.”
