Charles B. Rangel, who served New York City as a Democratic U.S. representative for 46 years, died on May 26 at the age of 94 at. His family confirmed his demise in a joint statement with the City College of New York, although no cause of death was given.
Born to a Puerto Rican father and an African American mother on June 11, 1930, Rangel dropped out of high school and enlisted in the segregated army in time for the Korean War.
As the People’s Republic of China (PRC) poured 250,000 troops into the peninsula, this “police action” morphed into an all out war. Black G.I.’s were the subject of racial propaganda as the PRC exploited racial tensions that were known to exist within the U.S. military using printed pamphlets and audio messages over loudspeakers to encourage discord within the ranks. “We were intimidated by the Chinese sending pleas over and explaining in broken English why we should not be in North Korea and why was this all-Black outfit in this civil war between Korean people,” Rangel recalled.
He earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart during the decisive battle of the Chonchong River, as he led his unit to safety after they’d been encircled by a Chinese Division at the Kunu-Ri Pass.
In an interview with CBS he later said “…Since Kunu Ri – and I mean it with all my heart, I have never, never had a bad day. “ a reference to the near death experience in the frozen Korean peninsula.
This sentiment worked it’s way into the title of his autobiography “…And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since.”
Upon mustering out, he leveraged the G.I. Bill to fund his education at New York University and St. John’s, where he received a law degree. A brief tenure in private practice prepped for his foray into politics, mentored by future Manhattan Borough President Percy Percy Sutton, who later played a key role in the rise of a promising young student named Barack Obama. He unseated the legendary Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. to begin his congressional career in 1970, retiring in 2017. Along with Sutton, former Mayor David Dinkins, and state official Basil Paterson, he became part of the “Gang of Four,” Black politicians who championed the interests of Harlem. Rangel personally became known as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue,” a reference to the main thoroughfare bisecting the African American community.
Among his achievements were founding the Congressional Black Caucus, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and membership in the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
His death spawned a fury of accolades, including the following from for House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi:
“Today, we mourn the ‘Lion of Lenox Avenue:’ Chairman Charles Rangel. A decorated war hero, civil rights leader and trailblazing legislator, he spent decades fighting for justice, equality and economic opportunity.”
Rangel was preceded in death by his wife, Alma in 2024, and is survived by two children, Steven and Alicia Frances.