Press Releases

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
May 26, 2025                                                 202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ISSUES STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF CHARLES B. RANGEL

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

“Congressman Rangel left an incredible legacy of service and advocacy. One of the longest serving incumbent members in the U.S. House, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and the first African-American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee—among so many other accomplishments, Rangel was full of fire and blazed a trail for all of us who have taken up the mantle to serve.

“The CBC meets weekly for lunch when Congress is in session. Years ago, when I was a new member, I would try and sit with the great icons during that 60-90 minute period. Elijah Cummings, who became my mentor, John Lewis, Charlie Rangel, Maxine Waters, Jim Clyburn, Alcee Hastings. Most of those members listened and gave thoughts to the topic at hand when appropriate in those meetings, but Charlie had a ton of other activities going on while also handling CBC business—emailing staff, working on Veterans or tax issues, procuring co-sponsors of legislation—all while telling witty stories and looking dapper.

“This past November in New York at a dinner gathering of Democratic members of the Ways and Means committee, Rangel, though physically slowed down by time and the loss of his beautiful wife, Miss Alma, was still so sharp as he talked about his teaching at NYU, past legislation and the work that we members still need to do. I leaned in to thank him for being with us and all his work. He looked at me and said with a twinkle in his eye, “You done real good for a little island gal from the backwoods of Brooklyn.” He burst out laughing when I said, “Yeah, that’s what happens following behind a half Puerto Rican from money-making Manhattan!”

“Charlie will be dearly missed by House Democrats, myself and my staff. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in power.”

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