Statement from Representative Adriano Espaillat on the Passing of Charles B. Rangel

NEW YORK, NY – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement on the passing of former Congressman Charles B. Rangel:

“It is with a heavy heart I share news of the passing of my dear friend, a beloved leader, and stalwart of our community, Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

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.

Congressman Rangel was an iconic figure and a devoted patriot as a veteran of the Korean War; as a founder of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC); the Lion of Lenox Avenue for his love and loyalty to Harlem; an institution through his many endowments of service to erect namesake 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. 

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. I will miss him dearly and am grateful for our time together, his mentorship, and most importantly, friendship we developed over the years.”

 

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov