The death of former Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., on Monday evoked powerful memories of the man often characterized as the second most consequential Black politician in U.S. history behind former President Barack Obama.
Rangel, who died at 94, rose to become chair of the all-powerful, tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee in 2006. A longtime member of Ways and Means, he had used his perch as chair of its Oversight subcommittee to battle the Reagan administration’s proposed cuts in social programs.
In addition to his political acumen and unforgettable gravelly voice, Rangel was noted for his sense of humor. Serving as guest comedian at a gala dinner of the National Press Foundation in 2014, the New Yorker whipped out his cellphone and, imitating a gig from Bob Newhart, affected a call to Fidel Castro.
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