Former Longtime Harlem Congressman Charles Rangel Dies At 94

NBC New York: Former longtime New York City Congressman and civil rights leader Charles Rangel died Monday at the age of 94, NBC New York has learned.
His family confirmed the death in a statement provided to the City College of New York, according to a spokesperson for the college, where Rangel served as Statesman-in-Residence since leaving Congress.
Once known as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue,” the outspoken, gravel-voiced Rangel served as a representative for what is now New York’s 13th congressional district in Harlem from 1971 until 2017.
At the time of his retirement, he was the second-longest serving incumbent member of the House. His 46 years spent as a congressman was the 10th-most in U.S. history as of 2025. Rangel was the last surviving members of the so-called “Gang of Four,” a group of Black lawmakers who wielded considerable power in state and city politics. That group also included former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, State Sen. Basil Paterson and Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton.
“Through our numerous conversations and collaborations over the years, his guidance, support, and faith helped propel legislative initiatives like the Second Avenue Subway that expanded during his tenure and the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative, which I helped establish as a lasting tribute to his legacy as a champion of creating pipelines for future generations,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who represents Rangel’s former district.
A Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, Rangel served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He would always say that he measured his days, even the troubled ones, against the time in 1950 when he survived being wounded as other soldiers didn’t make it. It became the title of his autobiography: “And I Haven’t Had A Bad Day Since.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams called Rangel “a patriotic congressman, one of the few congressmen that Harlem knew.”