© Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – Former US Congressman Charlie Rangel, the final surviving member of the Gang of Four, has died. He was 94 years old. Born and raised in Harlem, Rangel was a tireless political advocate and so-called Democratic “king maker”. In 1971 he was elected, defeating Reverend Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and then served 46 years in Congress.
Beginning in 2007, Rangel served as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. He was the first African American member of Congress to serve as chair of that influential committee. Rangel was also among the founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Considered a pragmatic Democrat with liberal views, Rangel was able to negotiate compromises among lawmakers.
Rangel was a veteran of the US military and helped lead a group of troops out of a deadly Chinese encirclement during the Korean War. He earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Later, after graduating from NYU, Rangel attended law school at St. John’s University.
Later in his Congressional career, Rangel faced allegations that he’d run afoul of ethics standards and tax laws. This tied into his renting of a rent-stabilized apartments and fundraising tactics. The full House approved a sanction of censure against him in 2010.
Details surrounding Rangel’s death and funeral arrangements weren’t readily available. He was pre-deceased by his wife Alma Carter in 2024.
