HARTFORD, CT — Charles Rangel, the legendary Harlem congressman and one of the longest-serving members in U.S. House history, has died at the age of 94. Charles Rangel’s political legacy extended far beyond New York, with ripple effects reaching Connecticut’s political scene, especially among Black lawmakers and urban policy advocates.
Born in Harlem on June 11, 1930, Charles Rangel rose from a high school dropout and Korean War hero to a trailblazing figure in national politics. After unseating Adam Clayton Powell Jr. in 1970, Rangel served 46 years in Congress, becoming a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.
Rangel’s legislative fingerprints are on major national policies, from the Affordable Care Act to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit — initiatives mirrored in Connecticut’s own housing and healthcare reforms. Despite a censure in 2010 over ethics violations, Rangel remained a respected elder statesman, known for his gravelly voice and unyielding fight for social justice.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called Charles Rangel “a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent, and champion for justice.” Connecticut leaders, including members of the state’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, have echoed these sentiments, highlighting how Rangel’s mentorship influenced a generation of Connecticut politicians.
Rangel is survived by two children and three grandsons. His wife, Alma Carter Rangel, passed away in 2024.
