Former long -time American deputy Charles Rangel, who died on Monday at the age of 94, was one of the most influential black legislators in American history, known for his voice by gravel tone, non -enabled liberalism and a sharp defense for Harl and further.
Rangel was born on June 11, 1930 in New York and served with honors in the Korean War and earned a purple heart and a bronze star. He used Gi Bill to persecute higher education, earned titles from New York University and St. John’s University School of Law, although he was a high school.
From Harlem’s streets along the hills of Capitol
Rangel launched his political ascent in 1970 by defeating the iconic and packing Adam Clayton Powell Jr., which meant the beginning of the 46 -year congress career. He quickly became a founding member of the Congress Black Corps and later became the Dean of the New York Congress Delegation.
In 2007, Rangel made history as the first African American who chaired the Executive Committee for Domestic Ways and Resources, which oversees tax policy, social security and medicare.
Vocal liberal, tireless advocate
Bangel, who never avoided the fight, was not one of the loudest critics of the Iraqi War and called her a “death tax” for the poor and minority Americans. His bold attempt to revive the proposal in 2004 was to emphasize the socio -economic imbalance in military service – although he eventually voted against his own law when the Republicans brought it to the floor.
He often encountered conservative characters, including Vice President Dick Cheney, with whom he traded in public.
Ethical discussion and censorship
Rangel’s career was not without defect. In 2010, the House ethics panel condemned it for 11 violations, including non -payment of taxes from the Caribbean villa and abuse of congress resources. He was censored – the most serious punishment that was a lack of expulsion – but continued to serve until his retirement in 2017.
Harlem’s champion
Despite the controversies, Rangel remained a permanent advocate of Harlem and promoted the zones of authorization to revive the fighting neighborhoods through tax incentives and community investments. “I’ve always been determined to fight for a little guy,” he said once.
He was the last surviving member of Harlem’s political “Gang of Four” – next to David Dinkins, Percy Sutton and Basil Paterson – a powerful group of black leaders who have transformed New York policy.
Life lived loudly
Rangel’s Memoir from 2007 “and I haven’t had a bad day ever since”, he reflected optimism that carried from the battlefield to the snake congress. His voice – literal and political – was unforgettable.
Charles Rangel leaves a legacy of defined pioneering leadership, a steadfast defense and deep ties to Harlem, where his journey began and where his name remains in political history.
(Tagstotranslate) Charles Rangel
