WASHINGTON - Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the following statement:

Now that the Ethics proceedings have passed, I will put the pain behind me as well. I will focus on lessening the pain of the American people during these challenging times in our country.

There is so much to be done to help those who are struggling to put food on their tables, and to restore their self-esteem and dignity. I will continue to work even harder to create new jobs, improve our children’s education, and provide better healthcare for all.

We must bring back our troops from currently being in harm’s way, and make sure they and their families have the resources they need at home. It’s not just the right thing, but the best thing for America.

I am honored to represent my constituents in the Upper Manhattan district. I am honored to serve the American people. I look forward to moving our great nation forward and making America strong again.

For over two decades, World AIDS Day has served as a way to not just remember the millions of lives that have been lost due to this deadly disease, but also celebrate the brave struggle of the millions that cope with the illness each day. For legislators and activists, it should also serve as a somber reminder of how much more needs done to provide the kind of resources needed to prevent HIV/AIDS and support those who deal with it every day.

Twenty three years ago, the orchestrators of this day, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, hoped that the best way to combat this incurable monster was with awareness. Despite the strides in medicines that are helping those afflicted lead healthier and longer lives, we are far from exterminating this crisis. The HIV infection rate in New York alone is three times the national rate and is the third leading cause of death for New York City residents aged 35 to 54.While more than 107,000 New Yorkers are living with the disease, thousands more do not know they are infected.

HIV/AIDS is having a particularly devastating effect in communities of color. Studies show that African Americans and Latinos account for over 65% of new infections in this country. Black men have six times the HIV incidence rate of white men and nearly three times that of Hispanic men. Black women are nearly 15 times as likely to be infected with HIV and Hispanic women four times as likely to be infected as white women.

Over the years, I have been part of a continuing struggle to increase Congressional funding to find a cure and provide services for victims and families. Last winter, Congress passed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, which helps provide care, treatment, and support services to nearly half a million people ? most of whom are low-income. This bill increased the authorization level for each part of the Ryan White program by 5 percent a year for the next four years, making important investments in care and treatment services to ensure the highest quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients, while also funding prevention and outreach programs.

Yet we must do more. That is why next Congress, I expect to reintroduce H.R. 1964, The National Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act. The bill builds on a national faith-based approach intervention and education that is gaining grassroots support. Ministers from every denomination are spreading the word to their congregations and to leaders across the country.

Social advocacy by our pastors, our imams and our rabbis is nothing new. In the African American community alone, the black clergy has been on the forefront of every struggle in our community, from breaking the shackles of slavery to obtaining the right to vote.

HIV/AIDS does not discriminate by religion, race, gender, or age. On this 23rd World AIDS day, let us all recommit ourselves to organizing a 21st century approach to prevention and support. We need all hands on deck to deal with this epidemic ? not just health care professionals, but community leaders, elected officials and our churches, too. Only by reaching out across the aisle and to all of our networks, can we halt the spread of this disease that affects the lives of so many people and their families.

The final decision on sanctions for violations of the House rules will be made by the full House of Representatives. It would be inappropriate for me to comment regarding this matter.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the following statement on November 18, 2010.

Today I stood before the Ethics Committee to apologize for the embarrassment I have brought upon this body that I love dearly, and to the Members of Congress, and to my family and constituents.

There has never been any corruption or personal gain in my actions as the Committee's chief counsel noted. Neither has there been any intent on my part to violate the House rules. My actions may have been sloppy, or even stupid, but never corrupt.

There is no excuse for my acts of omission and failures to abide by the rules of Congress. I have made many mistakes that I will forever regret, and I apologize for them.

This has been one of the most difficult days of my life. All of this has been brought upon me as a result of my own actions. In the end, I hope that you would judge me on my entire record as a soldier and a dedicated public servant -- not by my mistakes.

To my beloved Colleagues, my constituents and the American people, I am sorry.
 

Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the following statement in the morning of November 18, 2010.

I was gratified when I heard the Ethics Committee’s own counsel agree with me and say he found no evidence of corruption or personal gain in my investigation. I am surprised, however, that the language the Adjudicatory Subcommittee used in rendering its decision does not coincide with what the Counsel stated orally. I had looked forward to a hearing because I knew in my heart that I did nothing corrupt nor sell my office or votes.

To make these points as clear as possible I viewed the hearing as an opportunity to tell my side of the story and that is why I needed an attorney to defend me.  I was and am disappointed that the Committee reached its decision without affording me the right to adequately defend myself with the aid of counsel.

I truly believe public officials have a higher responsibility than most Americans to obey the rules because we write them. There can be no excuse for my acts of omission. I've failed in carrying out my responsibilities.  I made numerous mistakes.

But corruption and personal enrichment are certainly not part of my mistakes and the Committee's chief counsel made that abundantly clear.  And that was the point I was always trying to make.

Not too long ago, I wrote a book titled, "I Haven't Had A Bad Day Since."  This was my attempt to remind myself that there will never be another day in my life like November 30, 1950.  I was an infantryman, 20 years old, fighting for my country in North Korea, surrounded by tens of thousands of Communist Chinese, wounded, left for dead, and making a plea to God to spare my life.

My prayers were heard and my life spared.  I left the military a decorated hero but I was still a high school dropout. Thanks to the G.I. bill I was given an opportunity to walk a road that took me back to school, and eventually to the chairmanship of what is considered the most distinguished committee in the Congress - the Ways and Means Committee.

After completing law school, I served under the distinguished Robert Morgenthau as an Assistant U.S. District Attorney for the Southern District of New York, in the New York State Assembly, and in 1970 I was elected to the House of Representatives.

Since then I've had endless opportunities and accomplishments.  I walked with Rev. Martin Luther King in the civil rights movement, and sought justice for the poor and voiceless as a leading advocate for economic development, jobs, and housing. I passed historic legislation to end apartheid in South Africa, and to assist developing nations elsewhere in Africa and the Caribbean.  

And then the sky fell down. The nightmare began. Soon after I took the gavel at Ways and Means I have been smeared with allegations of corruption and personal gain. Two years ago I referred these media allegations to the Ethics Committee, confident that I would be protected from these attacks and false accusations.

The Committee has not met its burden of proof in presenting clear and convincing evidence that Charlie Rangel has deviated from his sense of duty to this Body and this great country. I will continue to do all that I can do to provide the very same rights and opportunities that motivated private Rangel to overcome poverty and succeed in life.

How can 40 witnesses, 30,000 pages of transcripts, over 550 exhibits measure against my forty years of service and commitment to this Body I love so much? I ask the Committee in reviewing the sanctions to take that into serious consideration, as well as the effects this ordeal has had on my wife, family and constituents.

Even in light of the fact that the Subcommittee’s findings were made without my representation and weighed against what was not found, I hope my four decades of service merit a sanction that is in keeping with and no greater than House precedents and also contains a drop of fairness and mercy. 
 

Congressman Charles B. Rangel released the statement following the decision made by the Adjudicatory Subcommittee, on November 16, 2010.

Lawmaker Cites Committee Chief Counsel's Declaration That
There Was No Evidence of Corruption or Personal Gain

How can anyone have confidence in the decision of the Ethics Subcommittee when I was deprived of due process rights, right to counsel and was not even in the room?   I can only hope that the full Committee will treat me more fairly, and take into account my entire 40 years of service to the Congress before making any decisions on sanctions. 

 I am disappointed by the unfortunate findings of the Ethics Subcommittee.  The Committee's actions are unprecedented in view of the fact that they arrived at without rebuttal or counter evidence on my behalf. 

While I am required to accept the findings of the Ethics Committee, I am compelled to state again the unfairness of its continuation without affording me the opportunity to obtain legal counsel as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

This unfair decision is the inevitable result of the Committee's insistence on moving forward despite the absence of any legal representation on my behalf.  The Committee elected to reject my appeal for additional time to secure new counsel and thus acted in violation of the basic constitutional right to counsel.

The Committee's findings are even more difficult to understand in view of yesterday's declaration by the Committee's chief counsel, Blake Chisam, that there was no evidence of corruption or personal gain in his findings.

From here forward, it is my hope that the full Ethics Committee will take into consideration the opinion of its chief counsel as well as the statement by Rep. Bobby Scott, a member of its investigatory subcommittee who said that any failings in my conduct were the result of "good faith mistakes" and were caused by "sloppy and careless recordkeeping, but were not criminal or corrupt."

Congressman Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement after the Adjudicatory Subcommittee's hearing in the morning of November 15, 2010.

I am very disappointed that the Ethics Subcommittee has chosen to proceed with the hearing knowing that I am without counsel.  They have decided to continue the hearing on an 80-page document that I received just seven days ago by the Subcommittee staff -which neither I nor others have ever seen before in an ethics inquiry.  When I asked what rule this motion was made under and how it was used. I was told nothing.  How was I supposed to deal with this when I received it just days before the hearing without an attorney by my side?
        
Thirteen days ago, the Subcommittee wrote that Members in my position had the right to counsel by setting up a legal defense fund, I could obtain a pro bono counsel or secure counsel at a reduced fee.  But setting up a legal defense fund is time-consuming. Moreover, it is unrealistic that I could raise the required funds and replace counsel for an adequate representation.  Even if I could create and get approval for this fund this past week, too little time would have been afforded to any counsel to familiarize himself with the record and do the work required in a competent manner. So even if I engaged one now, the counsel would not be in a position to give me meaningful advice.   

The process that the Committee has decided to take against me violates the most basic rights of due process that is guaranteed to every person under the Constitution.  The Committee has deprived me of the fundamental right to counsel and has chosen to proceed as if it is fair and impartial and operating according to rules, when in reality they are depriving me of my rights.  

I hope that my colleagues in Congress, friends, constituents and anyone paying attention will consider my statement and how the Committee has been unfair to me.  They can do what they will with me because they have the power and I have no real chance of fighting back.  

Now, I am going forward -- not backwards -- to do the job I was elected to do.  That is to serve my district and to serve my country, as I have tried to do for the past 50 years.  In the end, I hope that I would be judged by my entire record that determines that I have been a credit to the House and to my family, friend and supporters who have entrusted me with this honorable duty.

For further details please see the enclosed letters.

In celebration of Veterans Day, Congressman Rangel issued the following statement, to pay tribute to the veterans and soldiers in uniform:

On Veterans Day, Americans will take time out to pay tribute to our military heroes.  Some of us New Yorkers will march in the annual parade up Fifth Avenue. Others will visit cemeteries to pray over our deceased loved-ones.  With 25 million surviving veterans in the country-- including 14,000 in my Upper Manhattan Congressional District-- most of us will have someone to thank for their sacrifice.

Since the birth of this country, more than 40 million Americans have served in the military during wartime.  Nearly 1 million have died in battle.  And now in the Middle East, the roster of military heroes grows by the day.  Two million young men and women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and nearly 6,000 have already been killed.

Five of those casualties were my constituents:  From Washington Heights--Sgt. Jose E. Ulloa, Cpl. Juan M. Alcantara, Spec. Sergio A. Mercedes Saez. and Staff Sgt.  Riayan A. Tejeda; and from East Harlem--Spec. Jose L. Ruiz.

As many as 300,000 servicemen and women have returned home afflicted with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Many others are damaged by head injuries and lost limbs.  Depression and suicides are wreaking havoc on their victims, spouses and children.

I am proud to have worked with my Democratic allies in this Congress and President Obama to enact landmark legislation to help wounded veterans and their families, to guarantee reliable funding for VA medical centers, and to strengthen health care services for 5 million vets.  That is in addition to providing enhanced funding for veterans education, job training, and business opportunities.

Today I am launching on my website a Veterans Resource Guide to services available at the VA and other agencies.  Please take a look at it and let me know of any services or programs that should be added to the list.

Veterans represent the 1 percent of families in this country with sons and daughters in harm's way in the military.  They alone are putting their lives on the line to allow all of us to rest easy at home.  

Each war leaves its own unique scars on its veterans.  In today's conflicts, the wounds are often invisible.  The next time you see a veteran or a soldier in uniform, offer a word of thanks or a salute.  They've earned it.            

Listen to Congressman Rangel's special message on Veterans Day!

NEW YORK - Congressman Charles Rangel joined local elected and community leaders this week in celebrating new state protections for domestic workers in New York State.

New York Governor David Paterson signed the legislation Tuesday morning at Harlem's Dwyer Cultural Center.

"I want to thank Governor Paterson, Assemblymen Keith Wright, and the other members of the New York State Legislature for passing this important measure," said Congressman Rangel. "Today is a victory in the continuing struggle of the American worker. For too long, New York State’s domestic workers have had to work in the shadows, putting in the hard work and long hours that so many employees do in other industries without getting the protections that for so many are routine. I can’t think of a more fitting way to get an early start to celebrating Labor Day than the signing of this bill into law."

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights guarantees overtime pay, a minimum of one day off every seven days, three days of paid leave per year, and protections against sexual harassment and racial discrimination. The protections are in place for employees regardless of immigration status or whether they are official paid "on the books."

“For far too long domestic workers have labored tirelessly without the labor protections available to almost every other group of workers throughout New York State," said Assemblyman Keith LT Wright, who led the fight for the bill's passage in the New York State Assembly " I applaud the tenacity of all of the domestic workers who lobbied, advocated and rallied for this legislation for many, many years and helped our State pass the laws necessary to protect all people who reside within it. In 2009, Governor Paterson promised to sign this bill once it was passed by the State legislature and today we see that promise kept. It is a great day for New York State and my sincerest gratitude goes out to all who helped turn this legislative dream into a chaptered reality.”

The historic legislation becomes effective December 1st.

WASHINGTON - Congressman Rangel inserted the following statement in the Congressional Record to honor the Korean War veterans on National Korean War Veterans Day, July 27, 2010.

Mr. Rangel: Madam Speaker, I rise to commemorate the National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, a day especially set aside to ensure America remembers the valiant sacrifices and the patriotic service of the Korean War veterans.

On Tuesday, the stars and stripes will be flown across our great nation in their honor, as a result of President Obama's enactment of the Korean War Veterans Recognition Act, which became Public Law (111-41) last year after it unanimously passed in both chambers of the U.S. Congress.

At the National Korean War Memorial on the morning of the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27, 2010, hundreds of veterans, their friends and families, members of the U.S. Armed Services, and foreign dignitaries will pay tribute to all those who served in Korea, and lay wreaths for the fallen who never made it back home. Among those in attendance are members of the Korean War Veterans Association, who have gathered in Washington, D.C., for their 2010 Convention and Gathering to mark the occasion.

Sixty years ago, war broke out on the Korean Peninsula, when North Korea invaded the South on June 25, 1950. Before the ceasefire three years later, 1.8 million Americans had served in Korea and the region, more than 54,000 had been killed, more than 103,000 wounded and up to 8,176 listed as missing. Today, there's no peace treaty ending the war, and 28,500 American soldiers are still stationed in South Korea, guarding democracy's eastern flank.

Despite the great loss of life in such a short time, Korea ― a so-called United Nations conflict sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam War ― was simply forgotten. I hope the flags displayed on this day would remind Americans to remember and recognize the Korean War veterans of a war that has yet to end.

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*Click here to see President Obama's Proclamation on National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27, 2010.

Note: The Korean War Veterans Recognition Act was introduced by Congressman Rangel on May 21, 2009. It passed the House (421-0) on July 21, and the Senate (by unanimous consent) on July 22. President Obama signed it into law on July 27, 2009.