Senator Cleare Gives Remarks Remembering Hon. Charlie Rangel

"Thank You, Madame/Mr. President; and a special thanks to my Co-Prime Sponsors of this Resolution: Leader Stewart-Cousins and Senators Jackson and Serrano.

"One of the top synonyms for Harlem is Charlie Rangel. The two were absolutely and irrevocably inseparable. His representation spanned several generations; it started in the Korean War and lasted through the formation of One Harlem and the fight for affordable housing in Central and West Harlem in 2025.

"Charlie Rangel was the first person that I ever voted for. So tireless was his advocacy and so omnipresent his personage in Harlem that you thought he just might live and fight forever. His 46 years in Congress are an absolute masterclass of how to take care of your district at home, fight for equity and justice everywhere and become a Statesman abroad.

"He served in the United States Army from 1948-52 and was a Highly Decorated Korean War Veteran and just yesterday, over seventy years later, he was added to the New York State Senate Veterans Hall Of Fame.

"While there are many lessons we can learn from the representative style of Charlie Rangel, two stand out in my mind. One, your job is to always be present for the people and to give them the faith and confidence that you will solve their problems—whether it be a Social Security or Veterans Benefits Issue. Two, is that the underdog and the underrepresented are the most important people to raise your voice on behalf of. Chair Rangel did this continuously in his career, on behalf of the Black Poor of Harlem; Veterans; Seniors; Immigrants; Young People Of Color Sent To War; and so many more.

In addition, Charlie Rangel:

• Supported & Voted For Higher Education Opportunity Programs such as HEOP as a Member of the New York State Assembly.
• Was the author of many of the original Affordable Housing Legislation passed at the Federal Level.
• Was one of the great leaders of the Anti-Apartheid Movement for over a decade with the “Rangel Amendment” and In 1987 introduced the Budget Reconciliation Act, which subjected U.S. corporations operating in South Africa to double taxation if they did not divest from South Africa.
• In 2009-2010 he was instrumental in the negotiations which ultimately led to the enactment of Obamacare, one of the first times in our nation’s history that Health Care was recognized as a Human Right.

"I am comforted to know that so many of us here in the State Legislature come from the Charlie Rangel School, and were able to be mentored by him, including myself, Senator Jackson and Members Wright, Gibbs, Taylor and more.

"In these uncertain times, I leave you with a timeless quote by Charles Rangel:

'We all have a large stake in preserving our democracy, but I maintain that those without power in our society, the black, the brown, the poor of all colors, have the largest stake not because we have the most to lose, but because we have worked the hardest, and given the most, for what we have achieved.'

"Let us remember the Lion Of Lenox Avenue in all that we do."