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Rep. Charles Rangel
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Congressman Charles B. Rangel is serving his 22nd term as the Representative from New York's 13th Congressional District, which stretches from upper Manhattan to northwest Bronx. Congressman Rangel is the Dean of the New York State Congressional Delegation, and the former Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Congressman Rangel is the principal author of the five billion dollar Federal Empowerment Zone demonstration project to revitalize urban neighborhoods throughout America. He is also the author of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which is responsible for financing ninety percent of the affordable housing built in the U.S. in the last ten years. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which Congressman Rangel also championed, has provided thousands of jobs for underprivileged young people, veterans, and ex-offenders.

As the former chairman of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, Congressman Rangel continues to lead the nation's fight against drug abuse and trafficking. In his efforts to reduce the flow of drugs into the United States and to solve the nation's continuing drug abuse crisis, Congressman Rangel serves as chairman of the Congressional Narcotics Abuse and Control Caucus.

Congressman Rangel is a founding member and former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus; he was also chairman of the New York State Council of Black Elected Democrats and was a member of the House Judiciary Committee during the hearings on the articles of impeachment of President Richard Nixon.

Congressman Rangel served in the U.S. Army from 1948-52, during which time he fought in Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. Congressman Rangel has authored several pieces of legislation to benefit minority and women veterans, including a successful bill that established the Office of Minority Affairs Within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In 1987, at the height of the battle against apartheid, Congressman Rangel led the effort to include in the Internal revenue Code one of the most effective anti-apartheid measures, denial of tax credits for taxes paid to South Africa. This measure resulted in several Fortune 500 companies leaving South Africa. In addition, Congressman Rangel played a vital role in restoring the democratic government in Haiti.

Congressman Rangel is a graduate of New York University and St. John's University School of Law. He has spent his entire career in public service, first as an Assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, and later in the New York State Assembly. He was elected to the 92nd Congress on November 3, 1970, and has been re-elected to each succeeding congress.

Congressman Rangel lives in Harlem with his wife Alma, who is a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus Spouses and participates in many civic and community organizations. Congressman and Mrs. Rangel have two children.

Entries by Rep. Charles Rangel

Let the Attorney General Do His Job

(62) Comments | Posted June 8, 2013 | 1:31 PM

The actions of the attorney general and the Department of Justice have been criticized for infringing on our fundamental freedoms as Americans. It seems that the security of our freedoms has been questioned several times in the last few months, and "scandal" seems to be the Republican theme of the...

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A Flag Raising Tradition to Honor America's Fallen Heroes

(17) Comments | Posted May 25, 2013 | 9:19 AM

Memorial Day is a unique and special holiday for many reasons. However, unlike others, the American flag is lowered to half-staff until noon, when it is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.

Tradition holds that the half-staff flag honors our fallen, while the full-staff flag shows...

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Tax Deduction for Students Now Will Pay Dividends

(29) Comments | Posted April 12, 2013 | 1:47 PM

I am pleased that the president's FY14 budget addresses the student loan crisis in our country. From leading the world into the age of democracy to spearheading the technological revolution, America has always been at the forefront of greatness. This has not been the result of luck or destiny, but...

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Advancing the Dream Through Education

(4) Comments | Posted April 4, 2013 | 10:41 AM

On April 4, we remember the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., whose leadership and valor during the Civil Rights Movement continue to inspire many Americans to fight for justice and equality. Today we owe it to Dr. King and future generations to keep moving forward and demanding...

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More Boots on the Ground for Peace

(56) Comments | Posted February 14, 2013 | 11:00 PM

Ten years ago on February 15, 2003, an estimated 15 million people across 800 cities protested the invasion of Iraq, making it the largest antiwar rally in history. There is no condition or situation where violence is justified as anything but a last resort. Both on the streets and in...

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NEWT Can Close Tax Loopholes

(25) Comments | Posted January 24, 2013 | 12:45 PM

Lately in American politics there has been a lot of talk about taxes. This conversation has been mostly about who should pay more (or less) and there has been some heated discussion, to say the least, on all sides. One thing I think we can all agree on, however, is...

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Toward an AIDS-Free Generation

(1) Comments | Posted November 30, 2012 | 6:11 PM

Today, many scientific advances have been made in the medical treatments for HIV/AIDS. There are also widespread efforts to understand the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Despite this, stigma and discrimination remain a reality for people living with HIV/AIDS. Many are still unaware about how to prevent infection. World AIDS Day (December 1)...

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The One Percent Deserving Our Thanks

(27) Comments | Posted May 25, 2012 | 6:29 PM

Last Sunday, as NATO members met to discuss their upcoming plans for the war in Afghanistan, some members of the Iraq and Afghanistan Vets Against the War (IAVW) publicly returned their medals in protest of the repeated decision to continue putting Americans in harm's way. Their message highlights the sharp...

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Playing Tough While Communities Suffer

(1) Comments | Posted May 3, 2012 | 6:32 PM

In the April 20 Wall Street Journal article, "Obama's Misplaced Sympathies," Jason Riley comments on my role as chairman of the House Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control and enactment of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. Yes, the bill did include enhanced criminal penalties for crack...

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Making College Affordable

(28) Comments | Posted April 26, 2012 | 5:12 PM

When I was growing up in Harlem, college was a remote possibility even for the most fortunate black and Hispanic students. But times have changed for the better, and today's young minority men and women should expect nothing less from themselves than a college degree. Moreover, they should demand nothing...

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Prosperity for Whom?

(14) Comments | Posted April 19, 2012 | 6:49 PM

After Republicans in the House of Representatives voted to pass the so-called "Ryan Budget," Committee Chairman Paul Ryan proclaimed that he was "happy to say we have taken another step on the path to prosperity." But given that this budget makes across-the-board slashes to social safety net programs...

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Taxing You Twice: Mitt Romney's Draconian Deduction Plan

(20) Comments | Posted April 18, 2012 | 7:04 PM

It has been widely reported that the presumptive Republican candidate for President, Gov. Mitt Romney, recently suggested that in order to pay for his proposed income tax cuts, he would tinker with federal tax deductions. While there has been a lot of coverage of his proposal to eliminate...

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Healthcare Works

(102) Comments | Posted March 22, 2012 | 8:14 PM

Republicans call it "Obamacare," and Democrats call it the Affordable Care Act. Whatever you call it, healthcare works. Rather than trying to repeal the healthcare law that that has bettered the lives of Americans young and old, Republicans should join Democrats in finding ways to expand it so that no...

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Keeping a Roof Over Our Heads

(42) Comments | Posted March 7, 2012 | 3:05 PM

The collapse of the American housing market that began in late 2006 has brought our economy to its knees and left Americans from all walks of life without a home or struggling to keep a roof over their head.

A culture of deregulation and irresponsible consumer lending that was widespread...

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Unemployment and Poverty in America

(59) Comments | Posted February 22, 2012 | 8:07 PM

The recent payroll tax deal struck by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama will keep an average of $1,000 in the pockets of 160 million American families through 2012 in addition to enabling tens of millions of seniors to continue seeing the doctor of their choice under...

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Rangel Remembers: MLK's Legacy of Service

(2) Comments | Posted January 15, 2012 | 2:30 PM

In August of 1963, the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a heartwarming speech that called for racial equality and social justice for all Americans, a speech that envisioned a greater America and a more unified people. Dr. King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and preached...

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Giving Americans What They Want This Holiday

(31) Comments | Posted December 15, 2011 | 5:50 PM

In the midst of the holidays and the season of giving, Congress remains unable to give the American people what they're calling for. I am deeply troubled by our government's inability to extend the payroll tax cut for 160 million working Americans and extend unemployment benefits for 2.1 million who...

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Occupy Our Homes

(50) Comments | Posted December 6, 2011 | 2:46 PM

Home ownership has been one of the greatest pillars of the American Dream. Every day, people all over America take comfort in knowing that they have a place to call home. For many others however, that piece of security is out of reach. Now, as thousands of Americans take to...

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Making Good to Native Americans

(15) Comments | Posted November 30, 2011 | 5:09 PM

As we gathered around the table with our loved ones for Thanksgiving, we counted our blessings despite the many challenges we are facing as a nation. We have experienced many economic and social plights in our history but have always prevailed. This indomitable spirit can be traced back to the...

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Shared Responsibility for Job Creation

(10) Comments | Posted November 22, 2011 | 5:34 PM

Hundreds of people braved the November morning chill to wait in line as early as 6 a.m. before the doors for the Rangel Career Fair at the City College of New York on November 14, 2011, where I invited nearly 90 companies and organizations who had jobs available for my...

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