Rangel, a Harlem political institution, was elected to Congress in 1971 by defeating the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. for the seat.
“The Lion of Lenox Ave was a transformational force of nature,” House Minority Leader Kakeem Jeffries wrote on X. “Harlem, NYC & America are better today because of his service.
“May he forever rest in power,” Jeffries said.
In another online tribute, Big Apple businessman and supermarket magnate John Catsimatidis called Rangel “a symbol of Harlem, a fighter for justice, a skilled diplomat.
“We knew each other for more than 50 years,” Catsimatidis said. “Charlie was a Harlem youth. You couldn’t walk down a street without someone calling his name.”
The City College of New York in Harlem — which named its school of public service after Rangel — posted a statement online calling him a champion for his Big Apple constituents.
“He served for 23 terms in the House of Representatives and was cited as the most effective lawmaker in Congress, leading all of his colleagues in passing legislation,” the statement said.
Rangel was part of the Gang of Four, a political coalition from Harlem.
The four — Rangel, former Mayor David Dinkins, former Manhattan Borough President Percy Sutton and former state Sen. Basil Paterson — were a powerful political force in Upper Manhattan for years.
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