Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel Dies at 94

Charles B. Rangel, a towering figure in American politics and a lifelong champion of civil rights and public service, has died at the age of 94. His family announced his passing on Memorial Day, underscoring a legacy built on nearly five decades of transformative leadership.

Born in Harlem in 1930 to a Puerto Rican father and an African American mother, Rangel rose from modest beginnings to become one of the most influential lawmakers in U.S. history. Known affectionately as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue,” he served 23 consecutive terms in the House of Representatives, representing New York’s 13th congressional district from 1971 to 2017.

During his 46-year tenure in Congress, Rangel became the first Black and Puerto Rican lawmaker to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. He sponsored more than 40 bills and played a central role in shaping federal tax policy, urban development, and international trade.

He was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, helping amplify Black voices in legislative spaces long marked by exclusion.

A Decorated Soldier Turned Statesman

Before entering public office, Rangel served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he earned a Bronze Star and Purple Heart for valor. That military experience, he often said, helped sharpen his sense of duty and justice—principles that would guide his political career for decades to come.

Throughout his career, Rangel remained a steadfast advocate for affordable housing, economic development, and racial equality. He was a key figure in Harlem’s influential “Gang of Four,” alongside Basil Patterson, Percy Sutton, and former Mayor David Dinkins.

Together, they reshaped local politics, dismantled systemic barriers, and championed policies to uplift underserved communities.

In the 1990s, Rangel led the creation of the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, a $300 million federal initiative that spurred job creation and investment in Harlem.

Rangel’s influence extended well beyond U.S. borders. In 1987, his landmark “Rangel Amendment” barred U.S. tax credits for companies doing business in apartheid South Africa—a move that signaled America’s growing intolerance for racial injustice abroad.

He also played a pivotal role in expanding trade partnerships with developing countries in Africa and the Caribbean, and in 2002, he launched the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program to diversify U.S. foreign service by offering scholarships and internships to underrepresented students.

“Whether in the United States Army, the federal courtroom, the halls of Congress or the streets of Harlem, Congressman Rangel led a life of public service that is second to none,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a statement. “The prayers of a grateful nation are with his family and the legions who loved this iconic leader. May Charles B. Rangel forever rest in power.”

Today, the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at the City College of New York stands as a lasting tribute to his legacy.

Rangel is survived by his wife, Alma, their two children, and three grandchildren. Despite the accolades and influence he amassed over the years, Rangel remained grounded and unshaken by legacy politics.

When once asked how he wanted to be remembered, he replied simply:
“If I’m gone, quite frankly, I don’t give a damn.”

Yet, the people of Harlem, and indeed the world, will remember him—boldly and gratefully.