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Elected in 1970 after unseating the legendary Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Congressman Charles Rangel, a son of Harlem, has compiled a stellar record of accomplishments on behalf of his constituents in Upper Manhattan, the nation, and the international community.
As a member of the Judiciary Committee during the tumult of the Watergate period, he participated in the investigation that led to the downfall of then-President Richard Nixon. Later, as chairman of the Select Committee on Narcotics Abuse and Control, he emerged as Congress's leading fighter against the scourge of drug addiction.
Once as chairman and now as the most senior member of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, he continues to address the most vital needs of his Congressional district through ingenious application of the tax code. Congressman Rangel has risen to the pinnacle of influence in Congress as a member of the House leadership and Dean of the New York State Congressional delegation.
Click on the following links to read his legislative accomplishments regarding the major issues of the day.
| Economic Development | Housing | Healthcare | Education |
| Veterans Affairs | Drugs Abuse and Crime Prevention | Puerto Rico | Foreign Affairs |
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The Empowerment Zone
Congressman Rangel authored and spearheaded enactment of the most ambitious economic development program since the Great Society. Nationally, the historic Empowerment Zone program is providing $3.5 billion for urban and rural development. The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone is driving the economic renaissance in that area with more than $300 million in federal, state and city-funded loans and grants for business development, jobs, educational and health programs, and social services in Harlem, East Harlem, Washington Heights and Inwood.
Earned Income Tax Credit
He fought for the dramatic expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which increases the income of workers earning up to $30,000 a year. More than 19 million families claimed the credit in 1999, receiving an average of $1,700 per family. EITC is the largest federal assistance program for working families.
Targeted Jobs Program
Spearheaded the program, now called the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, which nationally has subsidized the employment of more than 500,000 young people, veterans and ex-offenders by providing tax incentives to employers.
125th Street Corridor Revitalization
Secured provisions in the tax law which helped finance revitalization of the 125th Street corridor.
Apollo Theater Rescue
Intervened with New York State authorities and the private sector to rescue the landmark theater from closing.
Frederick Douglas Circle
Secured $9 million in federal funding for the restoration of Frederick Douglas Circle and the 110th Street Gateway.
Renaissance Ballroom and Small's Paradise Development
Intervened to free up these foreclosed properties for purchase and development by the Abyssinian Baptist Church's Renaissance Redevelopment Corporation. Also secured funds for the development project.
Audubon Research Park Development
Secured $10 million in federal funds for development of the Audubon Research Park for Biomedical Research in Washington Heights.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Secured $2.5 million in federal funding for computerizing archives of Harlem’s world-renowned research center.
Museum for African Art
Secured $250,000 in federal funding for development of the Museum for African Art.
Harlem Pier
Secured $1 million in federal funding for research into the development of Hudson River pier area on Harlem’s west side.
Protection for Freedom National Bank Depositors
Secured legislation that required the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to reimburse nonprofit depositors after the failure of Freedom National Bank.
Reconstruction of Hamilton Grange
Secured $1.75 million in federal funding for the reconstruction of Alexander Hamilton Grange. The former home of Alexander Hamilton is one of Harlem’s historic landmarks.
Pension Protection
Authored provisions in the tax law allowing police and firefighters to retire early without penalty to their pension levels.
Holding Down Utility Rates
Secured authorization for Con Edison to use tax exempt bonds for improvements to their infrastructure, saving New York City utility customers over $26 million per year.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit
Spearheaded program that generates investments in low- and moderate-income housing construction and rehabilitation. This permanent program is responsible for most affordable housing construction nationwide in the last decade, including more than 5,000 apartment units in Upper Manhattan.
Cooperative Housing Tax Relief
Enacted legislation that holds down rents for thousands of low- and moderate-income residents of cooperative (Mitchell-Lama) apartments by providing tax exemptions for earnings by the cooperative. At Riverbend and Esplanade Gardens, the Congressman assisted renters and owners by reversing Internal Revenue Service claims.
Public Housing Work Requirement
Enacted legislation placing a moratorium on the mandatory work requirement for residents of public housing.
Taino Towers Rehabilitation
Secured $9 million in federal funding for a major rehabilitation of the 650-unit Taino Towers complex in East Harlem.
Relief for the Homeless
Secured the moratorium that prevented the federal government from cutting off AFDC funds for housing the homeless in welfare hotels.
HEALTH CARE
Medicare Support of New York Hospitals
Led the successful initiative to direct an additional $400 million in Medicare payments for New York’s teaching hospitals, nursing homes and health care providers. Also secured Medicare payments to inner city hospitals, and increased payments for medical education for residents and interns assigned to hospitals serving the poor.
St. Lukes/Roosevelt and Presbyterian Hospitals Reconstruction
Secured federal guarantees for the sale of bonds to finance $300 million reconstruction of St. Lukes/Roosevelt and $400 million renovation of Presbyterian Hospitals.
North General Hospital Construction
Intervened with the Internal Revenue Service to authorize construction of East Harlem’s new North General Hospital in East Harlem, and secured federal funding for development of its geriatric ward.
Mt. Sinai Hospital Expansion
Secured $10 million in funding for the Mt. Sinai Hospital Human Genome Project, allowing expansion of the hospital's clinical services to the community.
Harlem Hospital Affiliation
Was instrumental in upgrading services at Harlem Hospital by improving its affiliation arrangement with Columbia University Medical School.
Boriken Community Health Center
Saved the Boriken Community Health Center from closure by intervening with the Internal Revenue Service to resolve a tax claim against the East Harlem health facility.
Funding for Kidney Dialysis
Secured adequate levels of reimbursement for dialysis treatments for victims of kidney disease, which disproportionately afflicts African Americans.
Employer-Provided Health Benefits
Helped lead the effort to protect health care and life insurance benefits to employees by preserving tax incentives for employers.
AIDS Funding
Was instrumental in securing major increases in funding for AIDS research and treatment under the Ryan White legislation, and for treatment of AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean.
Public School Construction
Secured enactment of the Qualified Zone Academy Bond program which allows school districts across the country to rehabilitate schools with bond financing where the interest is paid by the federal treasury through tax credits to the bondholders. So far under the program, New York City has issued a $30 million bond offering to finance the wiring of schools for computers.
State Department Minority Recruitment
Secured $1 million in federal funding to establish a program, based at Howard University in Washington, to prepare minorities to compete for careers in the foreign service. The culmination of Congressman Rangel’s long-time effort to change the culture of the U.S. diplomatic corps, the program will provide tutoring, internships and other assistance for applicants from across the country.
Tuition Reimbursement for Employees
Congressman Rangel played a decisive role in the Ways & Means Committee to extend the right of employees who receive tuition reimbursement from employers to deduct up to $5,250 from their taxable income. Over 7 million workers, especially low-income employees, have benefited.
Office of Minority Veterans Affairs
Authored legislation which established the Office of Minority Veterans Affairs in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. The office addresses issues of particular concern to minority veterans.
Harlem Veterans Outreach Center
Secured the creation of a full-service Veterans Outreach Center in Harlem. It is the first center of its kind serving veterans in Upper Manhattan.
Vietnam-Era and Desert Storm Benefits
Congressman Rangel strongly supported increased educational and health benefits for Vietnam Era and Desert Storm veterans.
369th Regiment Charter
Secured federal charter for the 369th Regiment, the "Harlem Hellfighters."
DRUG ABUSE AND CRIME PREVENTION
Narcotic Abuse and Control
A leading advocate in Congress for aggressive federal action to fight drug trafficking and increased spending for drug treatment.
Criminal Justice Reform
A leading advocate for fairness in the criminal justice system, Congressman Rangel has fought for revocation of mandatory minimum criminal sentences, equal treatment of crack and powder cocaine offenders, and for expungement of criminal records for first-time non-violent drug offenders.
The 936 Program
Congressman Rangel was the principal defender of the 936 program, the major incentive for corporate investments in Puerto Rico. Attracted by tax incentives, dozens of large U.S. corporations have located plants on the island, creating thousands of jobs.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Caribbean Basin Initiative
Instrumental in the passage of a major expansion of Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI), which provides reduced duties for products made in the Caribbean. The Rangel initiative has been the primary catalyst for development of the free zones in the Dominican Republic.
Africa Growth and Opportunity Act
Congressman Rangel authored and enacted historic legislation that for the first time created a trade and investment framework between the U.S. and the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. In the first 18 months since passage, apparel exports from Africa to the U.S. increased 28 percent, signaling new job opportunities in Africa and investment opportunities for Americans.
South Africa
As a leader in the campaign to bring down the racist apartheid system in South Africa, he authored and spearheaded the revocation of certain tax benefits to U.S. companies doing business in South Africa. His initiative led to the withdrawal of major U.S. firms, speeding the collapse of the apartheid system.
Haiti
Led the successful campaign to restore the democratically-elected government of President Aristide.
Cuba
Led the Congressional campaign to remove the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba.
China
Played the pivotal role in the enactment of legislation normalizing U.S. trade relations with China. The legislation ensures that U.S. businesses are able to compete with Europe and Japan in selling U.S. goods and services to China. ■
