Charlie Rangel, former congressman from Harlem and survivor of Gang of Four, dies at 94
NEW YORK (WABC) — Charlie Rangel, a former congressman from Harlem who was the lone surviving member of the Gang of Four, has died. He was 94.
Rangel was elected to the House of Representatives in 1971 after defeating Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.
He served in Congress for 46 years, becoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in 2007.
FILE – In this June 16, 2016 file photo, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington.
AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke, File
The City College of New York put out a statement Monday morning, confirming Rangel’s death, referring to him as a war hero, history-making Congressman and longtime friend.
“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. He was the primary sponsor of President Obama’s historic health care reform law. Recognized as one of the hardest working legislators in Congress, he sponsored 40 bills and resolutions that became law throughout his tenure. Among his greatest legislative accomplishments was: championing the national Empowerment Zone program, Affordable Care Act, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, and the ‘Rangel Amendment’ which sounded the death knell of Apartheid in South Africa.”
As news of his death spread, reaction started to pour in.
“Rep. Charlie Rangel was a phenomenal patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent & champion for justice,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. “The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational force of nature. Harlem, NYC & America are better today because of his service. May he forever rest in power.”
This is breaking news. This story will be updated.
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