Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks at Ceremony Honoring Former U.S. Congressman Charles Rangel

June 12, 2025

Watch video here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOGdTyMDeY4

Mayor Eric Adams: Thank you so much and to the family we join you in grieving in the transition from the physical to the spiritual, a mentor, a leader, a hero. Yesterday, as I welcomed the family here to celebrate the life of Congressman Charles B. Rangel, I thought about in 1990, speaking with then-mayor, Mayor Dinkins. 

At that time, we had the opportunity to bring Nelson Mandela to the City of New York. And after he spent several days here, I asked Mayor Dinkins, what was that like? What was the emotion? And Mayor Dinkins shared it was one of the proudest moments he had as the mayor of the City of New York. 

And that is what I felt when I stood on the steps and watched the man who was always there, a mentor, a hero, a patriot. 1950, when he received the bronze star and the purple star for the canoe ride battle, where he led a group of his colleagues to freedom. Often you receive that star after you participate in a heroic act. 

Little did we know, some 20 years later, he would become the congressman. And his life today, there should be another purple star because the life he lived was a life of courage and a continuing ascension from becoming the chair of [the House Ways and Means] and how he delivered for his beloved Harlem. 

And as I thought about in 1970, think about it if we can, some of us may not remember, but back then we had rotary phones, congressman. Then we went to touch-tone phones. And then from there, we had those large phones we would carry around with cell phones. Then we went to smartphones and apps and all other forms of communications that we developed over time in the evolution of how people speak to each other. 

But let me tell you what did not change, Congressman Rangel. He still communicated on the ground. The Lion of Lennox knew how to make everyone feel proud and tall and firm. He talked about the greatness of this country while he pointed out the criticisms of it. He was willing to go fight a battle and protect the soil that held the tree that hung brothers and sisters that looked like him. 
He knew that through his patriotism and through his ascension to be a congressional man, probably the second longest to serve in Congress, that he would have an opportunity to make this country be what it ought to be. 

And I cannot thank him enough for his mentorships, his guidance, his commitment, his dedication, his passion, and not only for having a purple star and a purple heart, but for having a heart for everyone who came in contact with him. 

Rest in peace, our brother, and continue to be there in the [spiritual] as we lost you in the [physical]. Thank you.
 

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