Remembering Hon. Charles B. Rangel '60, '83HON

St. John’s University School of Law Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum and the entire Law School community mourn the passing of esteemed alumnus Hon. Charles B. Rangel ‘60, ‘83HON. Animating St. John’s Vincentian mission, he served the greater good over four decades representing the people of New York in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tracing his path from his childhood in Harlem, into heroic military service, through law school, and onto a storied career in law and politics, Congressman Rangel said: “As the kid who dropped out of high school, got the Purple Heart, and was trying to get a good law school education, I consistently reflect on how good and generous people have been over the years. I had people that believed in me, and who wanted to see me succeed.”

Earning that success, Congressman Rangel gained prominence as the first African American chairman of the pivotal House Committee on Ways & Means. He was a co-founder and leader of the Congressional Black Caucus and served as dean of New York's Congressional Delegation. He was also instrumental in shaping policy on urban revitalization, affordable housing, fair taxation, and community empowerment, among other issues.

Inside and outside of politics, Congressman Rangel advocated for, and supported, educational opportunities for all. In law school, he helped students build trial advocacy skills as founding president of St. John’s Criminal Law Institute. As an alumnus, he established the Hon. Charles B. Rangel ‘60, ‘83HON Scholarship at St. John’s Law. “Education is a key to upward advancement, and now more than ever, it allows us the opportunity to make better decisions, not only for ourselves, but for future generations,” he said.

Recognizing his contributions to St. John’s, the Law School’s Black Law Students Association honored Congressman Rangel at its 50th Anniversary Celebration. He also received the Diversity Champion Award at the Law School’s Diversity and Inclusion Gala.

“Congressman Rangel epitomized the St. John’s Lawyer—guided by a strong sense of service and a desire to use his legal education to uplift others," Dean Jefferson Exum says. “I met him when I was just 10 years old, and I'm grateful that he served as a mentor and an inspiration to me for the last several decades. His memory will continue to inspire generations of lawyers and community servants.”

With great appreciation for Congressman Rangel’s dedication, kindness, generosity, and impact, we send our deepest sympathies to his family, his friends, and the community he loved so dearly. May he rest in peace.