Harlem has lost a titan with the passing of former Congressman Charlie Rangel, a man whose nearly half-century in politics shaped a neighborhood and a nation, for better or worse.
The New York Post reported that Rangel, who died at 94 on Memorial Day, May 26, 2025, at 5 a.m., leaves behind a legacy of service, valor, and controversy that defined his 23 terms in Congress from 1970 to 2017.
Starting with his early years, Rangel’s story is one of grit and determination. He served in the Korean War, earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his courage, including acts of heroism that saved fellow soldiers. It’s the kind of bravery that deserves respect, no matter one’s politics.
By 1970, Rangel had entered the political arena, challenging and defeating civil rights icon Adam Clayton Powell Jr. for a congressional seat.
That victory marked the beginning of a long career representing Harlem, a community he became synonymous over time.
His rise wasn’t just personal; it was historic. As the first African American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Rangel wielded influence over tax and economic policy, a role that amplified his impact on national legislation.
Rangel wasn’t a lone wolf either. He was a key member of Harlem’s “Gang of Four,” a political coalition alongside figures like former Mayor David Dinkins and Percy Sutton, shaping Upper Manhattan’s destiny with a tight-knit grip. Say what you will about political machines, but they knew how to deliver for their turf.
Over his decades in Congress, Rangel’s effectiveness wasn’t just talk. The City College of New York, which named its public service school after him, called him “the most effective lawmaker” among his peers for passing legislation. That’s high praise, even if some of his methods later raised eyebrows.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dubbed him “The Lion of Lenox Ave,” claiming Harlem and America are “better today” because of Rangel’s work. Well, that’s one view, but effectiveness doesn’t always equal righteousness when the ethics gavel falls.
Mayor Eric Adams mourned him as “one of our city’s greatest elected leaders.” High words, but let’s not forget that greatness often comes with a shadow, especially when the public trust gets tested.
Indeed, Rangel’s career hit a significant snag with an ethics scandal that couldn’t be ignored.
Reports first surfaced about unreported income from a Dominican Republic property, and a two-year House investigation confirmed he broke rules, dodged taxes, and misused his position for personal gain, including fundraising for that City College center.
The fallout was severe—his House colleagues voted to censure him, a rare public condemnation used only 28 times in over two centuries of congressional history.
It didn’t strip his powers, but it sure left a mark. Turns out, even giants can stumble when accountability knocks.
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo called him “a giant in every sense,” insisting Rangel taught that leadership means standing firm against injustice. Admirable sentiment, but one wonders if that firmness extended to owning up when the rules caught up.