Charles Rangel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Rangel
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Official portrait, 2013
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
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| In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Adam Clayton Powell Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Adriano Espaillat |
| Constituency |
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| Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2007 – March 3, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Sander Levin |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 72nd district |
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| In office January 1, 1967 – December 31, 1970 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Green |
| Succeeded by | George Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Bernard Rangel
June 11, 1930 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 26, 2025 (aged 94) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Alma Carter
(m. 1964; died 2024) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Service years | 1948–1952 |
| Rank | Staff Sergeant |
| Unit | 503rd Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars |
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| Awards |
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Charles Bernard Rangel was (June 11, 1930 – May 26, 2025) an American politician who served as a representative for New York City in the U.S. House of Representatives for a very long time – 46 years! He was a member of the Democratic Party and became a very important figure in American politics, especially known for his work on taxes and his representation of the Harlem area of New York City. He was also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group of African American members of Congress who work together on issues important to their communities.
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Early Life and Military Service
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Charles Bernard Rangel was born on June 11, 1930, in Harlem, New York City. His father was from Puerto Rico, and his mother was African American with family roots in Virginia. He grew up during a time when Harlem was a vibrant center of African American culture.
After dropping out of high school for a time, Charles Rangel enlisted in the United States Army. This was a major turning point in his life. He served from 1948 to 1952.
During the Korean War, he served as an artillery operations specialist. He showed great bravery during the Battle of Kunu-ri in 1950. His unit was surrounded by enemy forces in freezing cold weather. Despite being injured by shrapnel, Rangel took charge and led about 40 men from his unit over a mountain to safety, helping them escape the encirclement.
For his service and courage in the Korean War, Rangel was awarded the Purple Heart (for being wounded) and the Bronze Star with Valor (for his heroic actions). His unit also received special honors. Rangel often said that after surviving that difficult experience in Korea, he felt like he "hadn't had a bad day since."
After leaving the Army as a Staff Sergeant, Rangel used the G.I. Bill, a program that helps veterans pay for education. He finished high school quickly and then went to New York University, where he did very well. He then earned a law degree from St. John's University School of Law.
Early Career and Entry into Politics
After law school, Rangel worked as a lawyer. He helped people with legal issues and also worked for the government as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. He also served as legal counsel for different government groups, which helped him learn a lot about how laws are made and how government works.
Rangel became more and more interested in politics. He was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and even participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches in Alabama in 1965, which were important events in the fight for equal rights for African Americans.
His first elected office was in the New York State Assembly, where he served from 1967 to 1971. He became a leader among the African American lawmakers in the state.
In 1970, Charles Rangel decided to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. Rangel won the election and began his long career in Congress in 1971.
Career in the U.S. House of Representatives
Rangel represented districts in New York City that included Harlem for his entire time in Congress. He was seen as a strong voice for his community and for justice for people not just in Harlem, but around the world.
When he first arrived in Congress in 1971, he was one of the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). This group works to make sure the concerns and needs of African American communities are heard and addressed in Congress. Rangel later served as the chairman of the CBC from 1974 to 1976.
Charles Rangel quickly became an important figure in the House of Representatives. He was known for being smart, hardworking, and good at working with others, even those he disagreed with. He had strong liberal views but was also practical and looked for ways to find agreement and pass laws.
One of his most important roles was on the House Committee on Ways and Means. This committee is very powerful because it deals with taxes, trade, and important government programs like Social Security and Medicare. Rangel became the first African American to serve on this committee in 1975.
After many years, Rangel became the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 2007. This was a major achievement and made him one of the most powerful people in Congress, helping to shape important laws about how the government collects and spends money.
Rangel worked on many important issues during his career.
- Taxes and Poverty: As a leader on the Ways and Means Committee, he worked to help lower-income families, including helping to create the Earned Income Tax Credit, which helps working families with low to moderate incomes. He also authored the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to help create affordable housing.
- Economic Development: He helped create "empowerment zones" that provided tax help to encourage businesses to invest and create jobs in areas that needed economic help, including in Harlem.
- Foreign Policy: Rangel was outspoken on foreign policy issues. He strongly opposed the George W. Bush administration and the Iraq War. He also worked to support trade with African countries and helped create a program to increase the number of minority diplomats working for the U.S. government. He also played a role in pushing for actions against the system of racial separation (apartheid) in South Africa in the 1980s.
In New York City politics, Rangel was known as one of the "Gang of Four," a group of prominent African American politicians from Harlem who were very influential in city and state politics for many years.
Rangel was known for his friendly personality but also for speaking his mind very directly, sometimes using strong language. He was arrested several times for participating in political protests on issues he cared deeply about, such as human rights.
Ethics Issues and Censure
Later in his career, Charles Rangel faced questions about whether he had followed all the rules for members of Congress, known as ethics rules. These questions were about things like how he handled his personal finances, including taxes on a property he owned, and how he raised money for a public service center named after him at City College of New York.
The House Ethics Committee, which looks into whether members of Congress follow the rules, investigated these matters. In 2010, the committee found that Rangel had violated House ethics rules. The full House of Representatives then voted to censure him. Censure is a formal statement of disapproval by the House, which is a serious punishment for a member of Congress, though it is not as severe as being removed from office.
Because of the ethics investigation, Rangel stepped aside from his position as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 2010.
Final Years in Congress and Retirement
Despite the ethics issues, Charles Rangel continued to serve in Congress for several more years. He faced tough elections, especially as the demographics of his district changed and included more Hispanic voters. He won re-election in 2010, 2012, and 2014.
In 2016, Rangel decided not to run for re-election, keeping a promise he had made earlier. He left office in January 2017, after serving for 46 years, making him one of the longest-serving members in the history of the House of Representatives.
Legacy
Charles Rangel's long career left a significant mark on American politics. He was a pioneer as an African American leader in Congress, especially as the first African American chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee. He was known for his dedication to his constituents, his work on important national policies, and his colorful personality.
Later Years
After retiring, Rangel remained involved in public life occasionally. He served as a statesman-in-residence at the City College of New York, connected to the public service center named in his honor. He passed away on May 26, 2025, at the age of 94. He was remembered for his long service and his impact on American politics and the community of Harlem.
Political Views
Throughout his career, Charles Rangel was known for his liberal political views. Groups that rate how members of Congress vote often gave him high scores for voting in line with liberal positions on economic, social, and foreign policy issues.
He supported policies aimed at helping lower-income people, protecting civil rights, and addressing issues like economic development in urban areas. He often received high ratings from civil rights organizations and environmental groups.
Political Image
Rangel was widely seen as an energetic, friendly, and charming politician. He was known for his sense of humor and his ability to connect with people. He was often called "Charlie" by almost everyone in Washington, D.C.
He was deeply dedicated to the people of Harlem and worked hard to bring resources and attention to the community.
He was also known for being very direct and outspoken, sometimes making comments that caused controversy, but he always stood firm on his beliefs.
Awards and honors
In 1986, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation awarded Rangel with the William L. Dawson Award.
Rangel was given the Jackie Robinson Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. In 2006, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Washington International Trade Association.
Rangel has received a number of honorary degrees, including ones from Hofstra University (1989), Syracuse University (2001), Suffolk University Law School (2002), and Bard College (2008). In 2006 he received a Presidential Medal from Baruch College.
Images for kids
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Rangel (second from left, top) with fellow founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971
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Rangel (far left) looks on as President Ronald Reagan signs the Tax Reform Act of 1986 on the White House South Lawn.
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Rangel (third from right) looks on as President George W. Bush signs an extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act in 2004
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Rangel speaks to international educators visiting the U.S. Capitol in 2007 under the U.S. Department of State's Global Connections and Exchange Program
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New York's 15th congressional district,
which Rangel had represented until 2013 -
Rangel receives book written by US consul general Gregory Slayton, in Bermuda in 2009
See also
In Spanish: Charles B. Rangel para niños
- List of African-American United States representatives
- List of United States representatives expelled, censured, or reprimanded
- List of federal political scandals in the United States
