Former US Rep Charles Rangel, a longtime Harlem Democrat who served nearly 50 years in Congress, died Monday at the age of 94.His family confirmed his death through a statement provided by City College of New York. Rangel passed away at a hospital in New York City, news agency AP reported.A Korean War veteran, Rangel launched his political career by defeating legendary Harlem lawmaker Adam Clayton Powell Jr in 1970. He went on to become one of the most prominent Black politicians in the country, serving from 1971 until his retirement in 2017.Rangel was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and became the first African American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in 2007. Though he later stepped down from the post and was censured by the House in 2010 following ethics violations, Rangel remained a major force in Congress.He was also the last surviving member of New York’s “Gang of Four,” a group of influential Black political leaders that included former New York City mayor David Dinkins, Manhattan Borough president Percy Sutton, and state official Basil Paterson.House democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries called Rangel “a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent and champion for justice.”Known for his gravelly voice and fiery speeches, Rangel was a fierce advocate for Harlem and low-income communities. Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton once said Rangel encouraged her to run for the US Senate in 2000. Former US President Bill Clinton also praised Rangel for his work on expanding tax credits for businesses in struggling neighborhoods.In 1987, Congress passed the “Rangel Amendment,” cutting tax breaks for US firms investing in apartheid-era South Africa.
