Charles B. Rangel, a well-known lawmaker and veteran, died on Memorial Day 2025, aged 94. His life demonstrated the importance of serving the public, being an effective legislator, and always working to aid those in need. Rangel was born in Harlem in 1930 and rose from humble beginnings to become one of the best lawmakers in US congressional history. His death marks the end of a glorious period in American history for civil rights and politics.
From Harlem to The Capitol Building
Rangel’s journey began in Harlem, where he was born and raised. He did an excellent job in the Korean War, earning both the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. Following the war, he attended law school and later worked for the New York State Assembly before becoming an Assistant United States Attorney.
He was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1970, beginning a 46-year term that would see him become the longest-serving member of Congress from New York. Rangel was in charge of the 13th Congressional District, although his influence extended well beyond Manhattan. He influenced national and international policy through his strategic leadership.
Legal expertise and historical firsts
Rangel was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to command the influential House Ways and Means Committee. During his 23 stints in Parliament, he was regarded as Congress’s best lawmaker. He sponsored over 40 bills that became law.
The Affordable Care Act, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit are just a few of the major social and economic initiatives he implemented while in office. His initiatives on the Caribbean Basin Initiative and the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act demonstrated his desire to promote economic fairness and growth around the world.
The “Rangel Amendment” may have been his most significant contribution to the abolition of apartheid in South Africa, demonstrating his concern for human rights around the world. For decades, policy analysts and world leaders have praised his work and used it as an example.
Supporter of Education and Infrastructure
Rangel never forgot where he came from in Harlem. After retiring in 2017, he served as a Statesman-in-Residence at The City College of New York (CCNY). This was his favorite site. In 2022, he established the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative (RIWI) to assist residents of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx in securing long-term infrastructure work.
His goal was not only to create jobs, but also to help people in traditionally underserved neighbourhoods progress up the economic ladder over time. CCNY, which is well-known around the country for assisting people in moving up the economic ladder, was the ideal place for him to continue his advocacy for fairness and opportunity.
A life that impacted generations
Rangel’s desire to justice sprang from his compassion and personal experiences. He believed it was critical to offer everyone a fair shot, to enact legislation that aided the “least among us,” and to hold those in power accountable. People liked him not only in New York, but all around the country, due to his charisma, wit, and determination.
He left a legacy that continues to be felt in the laws and policies he drafted, as well as in the lives of the millions of individuals he assisted. Charles B. Rangel’s life mattered. He was a soldier, a politician, a reformer, and a tenacious advocate for what was right. As America remembers him, his story continues to inspire a new generation to be brave and compassionate leaders.
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