Charlie Rangel, who represented New York City in Congress for nearly 50 years and became one of Harlem’s most prominent political figures, has passed away at the age of 94.
Rangel made history in 1971 when he unseated Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. to secure a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, launching a long and influential career in Washington.
“The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational force of nature,” wrote House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on X. “Harlem, NYC & America are better today because of his service.”
“May he forever rest in power,” Jeffries added.
In a heartfelt tribute, New York businessman and grocery chain owner John Catsimatidis described Rangel as “a symbol of Harlem, a fighter for justice, a skilled diplomat.”
“We knew each other for more than 50 years,” Catsimatidis recalled. “Charlie was a Harlem youth. You couldn’t walk down a street without someone calling his name.”
The City College of New York, located in Harlem and home to the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service, honored Rangel’s legacy in a public statement, praising his deep commitment to the people of New York City.
“He served for 23 terms in the House of Representatives and was cited as the most effective lawmaker in Congress, leading all of his colleagues in passing legislation,” the college noted.
Rangel also played a key role in Harlem’s influential “Gang of Four,” a group of trailblazing Black political leaders that included Rangel, David Dinkins, Percy Sutton, and Basil Paterson. Together, they wielded significant political influence across Upper Manhattan for decades.
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Good riddance