The New York County Democratic Committee mourns the passing and celebrates the life of Veteran, District Leader and Congressman Charles B. Rangel; in memory of all who gave their all, we honor their bravery on this Memorial Day. County Leader Keith L.T. Wright issued the following joint statement:
It is with heavy hearts and profound respect that we join the Harlem community—and the nation—in mourning the passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, a towering figure in American politics and a beloved son of Harlem.
The entire country knew Congressman Rangel for his long list of legislative accomplishments in Congress: serving on the Watergate Commission, writing and passing the “Rangel Amendment” sanctions on US companies who did business in apartheid South Africa, creating the Empowerment Zones, passing the New GI Bill for veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, fixing the Alternative Minimum Tax, and the stimulus bills to help the economy survive the 2008 Financial Crisis, to name but a few. But for our us, this loss is deeply personal.
Congressman Rangel was more than a political legend—he was family. He worked side by side with our patriarch, Judge Bruce M. Wright, and was a mentor, a protector, and a friend across generations. As a young boy, Keith remembers Congressman Rangel—then an intern at the law firm of Weaver, Evans, Wingate & Wright—picking him up from school, long before either of them knew they would go on to serve the same community in the same New York State Assembly seat that Charlie once held. That same path of public service continues today with Jordan, who—as Rangel’s last endorsed candidate—proudly carries forward the legacy of leadership rooted in Harlem.
Congressman Rangel’s life was a masterclass in dignity, resilience, and unshakable commitment to justice. A war hero—fitting on this Memorial Day, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, and one of the longest-serving members in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, Charlie never forgot where he came from—or who he fought for. He transformed the political landscape of this nation, but he never stopped walking the streets of Harlem, listening to his neighbors, and lifting up future generations.
We are proud to have walked with him, learned from him, and loved him.
To the Rangel family, you are in our hearts. Thank you for sharing Charlie and Alma with the world, and especially with Harlem. His voice may be silent, but his legacy will speak for generations.
Rest in power, Congressman. We will carry your light forward.
Keith L.T. Wright
County Leader, Manhattan Democratic Party
Former Assemblyman, 70th District
Jordan J.G. Wright
Assemblyman, 70th District