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September 21, 2016 The Skanner Page 9 News Rep. Charles Rangel Relects on Stellar Political Career Longtime member of New York’s congressional delegation will retire at end of this Congressional year By D. Kevin McNeir The Washington Informer, NNPA Member C harles B. Rangel, the celebrated dean of New York’s con- gressional delega- tion currently serving as a member of the U.S. House of Representa- tives, has always been one who stepped to the front of the line on behalf of his fellow Americans. Now, the 86-year-old attorney, a founding member of the Congres- sional Black Caucus, the irst Black chair of the highly-inluential House Ways and Means Com- mittee, the recipient of both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for service in the U.S. Army, and the former New York State Assembly member who successfully defeated long-time incumbent Rep. Adam Clayton Pow- ell, Jr. in his 1971 quest for election to the House, will retire from oice at the end of the congres- sional year. But, have no fear – the Harlem-born stalwart for “the least of these” says he plans to continue to serve his community, his Democratic Party and his fellow Americans. However, his primary focus will be enjoying life with his wife, Alma, and spending more time with their children and grandchildren. “Ater 46 years in po- litical oice, it’s going to be strange when the new Congress takes over in January and I’m not among the members,” Rangel said. “The emotional impact hasn’t hit me yet. I’m just grateful for enjoy- ing a career that has giv- en me the opportunity to improve the lives of working people, defend veterans, contribute to President Obama’s his- toric health care legisla- tion, and rehabilitate our nation’s public schools,” he said. Looking at the upcom- ing presidential election, Rangel said he hopes his fellow Democrats will follow the example of former President Frank- lin Delano Roosevelt and make a signiicant invest- ment in education and America’s infrastruc- ture while tackling ongo- ing social problems and issues related to world “ remove the political cat- aracts from my eyes,” he said. “I now see my wife and family in a much clearer light. Fortunate- ly, my wife and I are both in good health, and so we’ll be able to enjoy this new phase in our lives.” “A career in politics tends to blind you from so much because you have to be so committed, maintain so much ener- ‘We’ll have to wait and see what happens to the Republican Party, but I think the party of Lin- coln has become a coalition of very sick peo- ple – Ku Klux Klan members, Dixiecrats and those who hate immigrants and are opposed to gay rights. And, they’re able to hide behind Donald Trump whose rhetoric resonates with a large number of uneducated whites’ trade. “We’ll have to wait and see what happens to the Republican Party, but I think the party of Lin- coln has become a coali- tion of very sick people – Ku Klux Klan members, Dixiecrats and those who hate immigrants and are opposed to gay rights. And, they’re able to hide behind Donald Trump whose rhetoric resonates with a large number of uneducated whites,” Ran- gel said. As for family matters and his retirement plans, the wily New Yorker said he and his wife are excit- ed about the future. “We have a very long list of things we want to do, and we’ll need to cut it down. It will deinitely include traveling, speak- ing engagements from time to time, and raising funds for City College,” said Rangel. He earned high praise for his lead- ership in persuading U.S. investors to pull out of apartheid-based South Africa in 1986, and for his founding of an inter- national afairs program in the State Department in cooperation with Howard University. As of 2015, the program has trained over 200 “Rangel Fellows” for positions as Foreign Service oicers in U.S. embassies around the world. And, while he admits that saying “goodbye” won’t be easy, he wel- comes the change. “Just talking about re- tirement has helped me Make The Skanner part of your daily routine gy, and are constantly working to succeed on behalf of your con- stituents. It takes a lot out of you. Soon that will be be- hind me.” Rangel continued: “I can’t wait to simply wake up ev- ery day and spend more time with my wife.” Rep. Charles Rangel was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the irst Black chair of the highly-inluential House Ways and Means Committee and the recipient of both a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for service in the U.S. Army.