Charles Rangel | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York |
|
In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 2017 |
|
Preceded by | Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. |
Succeeded by | Adriano Espaillat |
Constituency |
18th district (1971–73) 19th district (1973–83) 16th district (1983–93) 15th district (1993–2013) 13th district (2013–2017) |
Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee | |
In office January 4, 2007 – March 3, 2010 |
|
Preceded by | Bill Thomas |
Succeeded by | Sander M. Levin |
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 72nd district |
|
In office January 1, 1967 – December 31, 1970 |
|
Preceded by | S. William Green |
Succeeded by | George W. Miller |
Personal details | |
Born |
Charles Bernard Rangel June 11, 1930 New York City, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Alma Rangel |
Residence | Manhattan, New York |
Alma mater |
New York University (B.S.) St. John's University School of Law (LL.B.) |
Occupation | Attorney |
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Awards |
Bronze Star (with valor device) Purple Heart |
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Army |
Years of service | 1948–1952 |
Rank | Staff sergeant |
Unit | 503rd Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division |
Battles/wars |
Charles Bernard "Charlie" Rangel (/ˈræŋɡəl/; born June 11, 1930) is an American politician who was a U.S. Representative for districts in New York from 1971 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the House of Representatives at the time of his retirement, serving continuously since 1971. As its most senior member, he was also the Dean of New York's congressional delegation. Rangel was the first African-American Chair of the influential House Ways and Means Committee. He is also a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Rangel was born in Harlem in Upper Manhattan and lives there to this day. He earned a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, where he led a group of soldiers out of a deadly Chinese army encirclement during the Battle of Kunu-ri in 1950. Rangel graduated from New York University in 1957 and St. John's University School of Law in 1960. He then worked as a private lawyer, Assistant U.S. Attorney, and legal counsel during the early-mid-1960s. He served two terms in the New York State Assembly, from 1967 to 1971, and then defeated long-time incumbent Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. in a primary challenge on his way to being elected to the House of Representatives.