Former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel Dies at Age 94

Charles B. Rangel, the influential and trailblazing U.S. Representative from New York, passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind a remarkable legacy shaped by a career spanning over five decades in American politics. Rangel, a towering figure in the House of Representatives, was known for his tireless advocacy for civil rights, economic justice, and the working class, particularly in his Harlem district.

Rangel was born on June 11, 1930, in Harlem, New York City, a community he would represent in Congress for 46 years. He was drafted into the Korean War, an experience that profoundly shaped his understanding of the value of service and sacrifice. His time in the military set the stage for his later advocacy on veterans’ issues, as well as his eventual leadership in crafting policies aimed at improving the lives of the most vulnerable Americans.

A member of the Democratic Party, Rangel was first elected to Congress in 1970, succeeding the late Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., whose legacy as a pioneering African American politician was one Rangel worked hard to uphold. Throughout his tenure, Rangel became a key figure in legislative efforts addressing housing, education, healthcare, and tax reform, often pushing for policies aimed at reducing inequality.

Rangel served as the chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, where he played a pivotal role in shaping tax policy and expanding access to healthcare. Despite facing legal challenges in 2010, when he was censured by the House for ethics violations, Rangel maintained his political standing, continuing to serve his constituents with unshakable resolve.

Rev. Al Sharpton said, “My heart is broken by the passing of a lion of Harlem today. I met Charlie Rangel as a teenager and we formed a bond that lasted over 50 years. Charlie was a true activist — we’ve marched together, been arrested together and painted crack houses together. After surviving the horrors of the Korean War, he made every day of his life count — whether it was coming home to get a law degree or becoming a fixture on the House of Representatives. Charlie made up the Big Four in Harlem — along with Percy Sutton, Basil Paterson, and David Dinkins — who fought for the community when the rest of the world seemed to be fighting against it. Black excellence in Harlem, in New York, and in the United States survived because of the work Charlie and his cohorts did to keep it alive. While his death, and that of Dr. Hazel N. Dukes earlier this year, marks the closure of that generation’s chapter, their legacy will be felt for lifetimes to come. It is on us now to pick up the torch Charlie Rangel carried for decades to fight for our communities, advance along the road of justice, and uplift ourselves.”

Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie called Rangel a role model. “As a kid growing up and getting into politics, he was a person you looked up to and wanted to emulate. He dedicated his life to public service – earning a Purple Heart in the U.S. Army, and going on to serve in the New York State Assembly and in Congress. He was a champion for Harlem and fought to uplift and improve the lives of New Yorkers and people across our country. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time,” said Heastie.