Charles Rangel Memorial Cover

Charles Bernard Rangel (June 11, 1930 - May 26, 2025) was a former U. S. Congressman and a political powerhouse in New York City politics. Born in Harlem, Rangel, a Democrat, was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the House of Representatives, serving from 1971 to 2017. Known as "The Lion of Lenox Avenue," he was a true titan and beloved community fixture, serving as a representative for five different congressional districts. His list of accolades extend deep into the trenches of the Black community and Congress. He was elected to Congress in 1971 after defeating the Rev.
Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Dubbed an unapologetic champion of justice, Rangel won re-election for Congress every two years until his retirement - usually with over 90% of the vote. Rangel also was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and he was the first Black American to chair the influential House Ways and Means Committee.