The Korea Society fondly remembers our friend, Former United States Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who passed away on Memorial Day at the age of 94.
For his full obituary, please go here. An excerpt reads:
"Born and raised in Harlem, he was first elected to Congress in 1970, after serving in the New York State Assembly and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney. Congressman Rangel retired from the United States Congress in 2017. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he earned a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star."
In 2020, Congressman Charles B. Rangel received The Korea Society's highest honor, the Van Fleet Award, alongside Korean War Veterans Association Area Commander Salvatore Scarlato on behalf of American veterans who served during the Korean War.
Congressman Rangel said: "Thank you for giving me this award on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people who made the ultimate sacrifice. When I left Korea, I had hoped in my heart that I never would return, but I did return. To my miraculous amazement, I saw out of the smothering ashes and the poverty, despair, and hopelessness, a great nation rise that is not only a friend of America and an exciting trading partner, but an anchor in that part of the world for democracy. On behalf of all of us who participated, for those of us who are not here and for those families who still have the haunting memories of their loved ones, let me thank you for what you're doing to make sure that these efforts were not in vain." To watch his full acceptance speech, please go here.
