Charles Rangel, Influential Harlem Congressman, Dies at 94

Charles Rangel, a pioneering Harlem Democrat and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, died at 94 after serving nearly five decades in Congress. Rangel, who rose from a challenging childhood and earned a Bronze Star in the Korean War, became the first African American to chair the House Ways and Means Committee. He was known for his advocacy on civil rights, affordable housing, and healthcare, and for unseating Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in 1970. As the last surviving member of Harlem's 'Gang of Four,' Rangel stepped down from the Ways and Means chairmanship amid ethics issues and was censured by the House in 2010, yet remained a beloved figure. Leaders including Hakeem Jeffries and Al Sharpton paid tribute to his lasting impact as a champion for justice and opportunity. Rangel's legacy endures through the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service and his legislative achievements, such as efforts to end apartheid and strengthen New York communities.