Various New York and Bronx elected officials have paid tribute to the civil rights leader and former Democratic U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel who represented New York’s 13th congressional district from 1971 to 2017 and who died on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, at the age of 94, when he was succeeded by Congressman Adriano Espaillat. The district covers Harlem and much of Northern Manhattan, as well as the Western Bronx.

 

According to New York Amsterdam News, Rangel was the last remaining founder of the Congressional Black Caucus.

 

U.S. Majority Speaker Chuck Schumer said, “Charlie Rangel was a great man, a great friend, and someone who never stopped fighting for his constituents and the best of America. The list of his accomplishments could take pages, but he leaves the world a much better place than he found it.”

 

Minority House Speaker Hakeem Jeffries said, “Rep. Charlie Rangel was a phenomenal patriot, hero, statesman, leader, trailblazer, change agent & champion for justice. The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational force of nature. Harlem, NYC & America are better today because of his service. May he forever rest in power.”

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “It is with deep sadness that I learned today of the passing of former Representative Charlie Rangel. He was a role model. As a kid growing up and getting into politics, he was a person you looked up to and wanted to emulate.  He dedicated his life to public service – earning a Purple Heart in the U.S. Army, and going on to serve in the New York State Assembly and in Congress. He was a champion for Harlem and fought to uplift and improve the lives of New Yorkers and people across our country. My heart goes out to his family at this difficult time.”

 

Gov. Kathy Hochul said, “Congressman Rangel earned the title The Lion of Harlem through decades of public service and a commitment to his community. When I was elected to Congress, he embraced me and welcomed me to the New York delegation. We are all heartbroken at this immense loss.”

 

Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who represents a large section of The Bronx stretching from the northwest of the borough to the south, said, “Charlie Rangel was a lion of Harlem and a legend of Congress. His life was a testament to public service, civil rights, and an unyielding love for New York and America. I mourn his loss and celebrate his towering legacy.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Rangel spent a lifetime serving his country — first as a decorated veteran of the Korean War, then as an assemblyman, and a congressman. “For nearly 50 years, he represented his community as one of our city’s greatest elected leaders. I am so sad to lose a dear friend and exemplary model of devotion and courage. My prayers are with his family, Harlem, and all who knew him. Rest in power, my friend, and I hope you and Alma are together once again.”

 

Meanwhile, City Council Speaker and Democratic mayoral candidate, Adrienne Adams said, “Congressman Charlie Rangel was a giant—in Harlem and in American politics. He served with unmatched wit, courage, and an unshakable belief in the power of government to change lives. It is especially profound to lose him on Memorial Day. He was a proud Korean War veteran whose patriotism was found not just on the battlefield, but in a lifetime of fighting for working people in Congress. His legacy lives on in the countless Black and Latino New Yorkers he lifted up and inspired. I’m so honored to have known him as a friend and inspiration.”

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson also released a statement saying she was deeply saddened by the news of Rangel’s passing. “His loss is felt not only here in New York, but across the nation.” Her full statement can be read further below.

Espaillat said of his predecessor, “Congressman Charles B. Rangel was a giant, the Lion of Lenox Avenue, and I will miss him dearly. His legacy will never be forgotten and will continue to inspire each of us. Rest in Power, our dear friend, and thank you for your lifetime of service to our nation.”

 

He later released a longer statement, saying in part, “It is with a heavy heart I share news of the passing of my dear friend, a beloved leader, and stalwart of our community. 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.”

 

Espallat said Rangel was an iconic figure and a devoted patriot as a veteran of the Korean War. He spoke of his role as a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC); and as “the Lion of Lenox Avenue” for his love and loyalty to Harlem. He said through Rangel’s many endowments, programs like the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship, the Charles B. Rangel Infrastructure Workforce Initiative, and the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service were launched.

“Charlie was an inspiration and embodied the truest form of leadership in public service, steadied in his faith and faithfulness in the American people, and a giant unmatched in his leadership, compassion, and commitment to upholding the values of our nation,” Espaillat said. “I will miss him dearly and am grateful for our time together, his mentorship, and most importantly, friendship we developed over the years.”

 

Espaillat had previously given his reaction live on air mid-interview in July 2024, upon hearing that his former congressional colleague Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee had died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 74. She had served in congress for some 30 years and helped enshrine Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

 

Espaillat was recently honored with the “Nancy Pelosi Award for Public Policy.” Pictured with the former Democratic House Speaker, he said, “Grateful for this recognition and more committed than ever to fighting for bold, people-first solutions on issues impacting communities across the nation.”

 

Pelosi also paid tribute to Rangal, saying, “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. My prayers are with the Rangel family and the Harlem community.”

 

New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay S. Jacobs also paid tribute to the former congressman, writing, “Charlie Rangel left behind a lasting legacy as a tireless advocate for social justice, and a powerful voice for Harlem. From a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and the first African American to chair the influential House Ways and Means Committee, Rangel broke barriers while shaping policy on tax reform, economic development, and civil rights.”

 

He added, “As a decorated war veteran, today is a celebration of his life in public service and his impact on all of us as New Yorkers and as Americans. I am proud to have called him a role model and a friend.”

 

Bronx Democratic Party Chair Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36) also released a statement which can be read in full above.

 

Rev. Michael Blake, another Democratic mayoral candidate also released a statement, calling Rangel a national hero and political mentor to countless leaders across generations, especially the Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. “Brother Congressman Rangel’s loss leaves an emptiness and grief felt not only in Harlem but across the nation. Brother Congressman Rangel was more than a public servant, he was a beloved son of his community, whose life embodied strength, resilience, and unwavering love for the people he served.”

He added in part, “His voice gave power to the powerless, and his legacy will forever echo in the hearts of those who called him family, leader, mentor, and friend. The Lion of Lenox was gracious enough to let me introduce one of our Alpha neophytes to him and Mayor Dinkins in 2019 at the African American Day Parade in Harlem. Brother Congressman Rangel took time to share the fraternal greeting with us while providing advice, jokes and insight in that invaluable and unforgettable conversation.”

State Sen. Nathalia Fernandez said of the late congressman, “It was an honor to know you. The legend, the Lion of Lenox Avenue, may you rest in peace Congressman Charlie Rangel ❤️‍🔥.”