Former Rep. Charles Rangel, who served in Congress for more than four decades, has died at the age of 94.
The New York Democrat, who served from 1971 until 2017, was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and the first Black lawmaker to helm the House Ways and Means Committee, according to the City College of New York. A Korean War veteran, Rangel earned a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., lauded Rangel in a statement on Monday, calling him “a patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent and champion for justice,” who was “a friend and mentor” to him.
EX-REP. CHARLIE RANGEL, 94, QUESTIONS WHETHER BIDEN BELONGS IN NURSING HOME, NOT WHITE HOUSE
Former U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) speaks before New York Governor Andrew Cuomo gets vaccinated at the mass vaccination site at Mount Neboh Baptist Church in Harlem on March 17, 2021 in New York City. (Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images)
Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also described Rangel as a “friend” and “mentor” — the Democrat, who is currently running for New York City Mayor, said Rangel taught him “that leadership is about lifting others up and in the face of injustice, you