Overview:
A funeral mass was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the late Rep. Charles Rangel. Gov. Kathy Hochul, Sen. Schumer, Rep. Jeffries, and former President Clinton delivered eulogies honoring Rangel’s historic career and legacy. Rangel was a trailblazer in Congress, serving Harlem for over 45 years until his passing at 94.
New York, NY — On June 13, 2025, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan filled with tributes, memories, and heartfelt farewells. The occasion was the funeral mass for the late U.S. Representative Charles B. Rangel, one of the most influential political voices in American history. The service was attended by state and national dignitaries, family, and community members. They paid final respects to the longtime congressman, who passed away on May 26 at the age of 94.
Rangel’s distinguished career spanned more than four decades, representing Harlem and Upper Manhattan in Congress from 1971 to 2017. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and a decorated Korean War veteran. Notably, he was the first African American to chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. Throughout his tenure, Rangel became a tireless advocate for civil rights, education, affordable housing, and economic opportunity for disadvantaged communities.
In a moment of reverence and reflection, Governor Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and former President Bill Clinton each delivered eulogies. These eulogies honored Rangel’s towering legacy.
“He never stopped fighting for New Yorkers, for Harlem, and for the soul of this country,” said Gov. Hochul, calling Rangel a “moral force in the halls of power.”
Rep. Jeffries called Rangel “a master legislator, a Harlem lion, and a mentor to generations.”
Sen. Schumer’s tribute blended poetry and politics:
“Charlie believed in America,” he said, quoting Langston Hughes. “We must hold fast to that vision, even as others try to darken it.”
Former President Clinton praised Rangel’s “unshakable sense of justice,” recalling their long partnership in serving marginalized communities:
“Charlie never gave up on the people who sent him to Washington — and they never gave up on him.”
As the casket was carried out of St. Patrick’s, many mourners stood with hands over their hearts. Meanwhile, others wiped away tears — a powerful final moment for a man who shaped policy, mentored leaders, and gave voice to generations of Americans.
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