Charles Rangel: “I am thankful for this opportunity. I feel so proud to be an American and be in this great country where so many Members…”

“I am thankful for this opportunity. I feel so proud to be an American and be in this great country where so many Members of Congress have come from families and communities that have been poor, without the dreams or hopes that they would ever be in a position to serve this great country in the most august legislative body in the world. I know I have been through more riots than anyone else, coming from Harlem and being older than most Members; yet, throughout the world, I am so proud that people respect our country because of the opportunities we have here. Therefore, to all Americans, it has to be painful and embarrassing to see on international news or to have our international friends think that we are a country that allow young, Black men to be shot down, murdered, and killed and that this is supposed to represent America. It doesn't really, in my mind, represent our country; it represents poverty, but it is so hard for people to believe that the richest country in the world could have this cancer of poverty that eats away from so many things that we could be doing. There were so many dreams and hopes when President Obama came in and recognized how much you can accomplish if you have access to education. I was among those who recognized that a bum from Lenox Avenue in Harlem, being given an opportunity with the GI Bill, can go to New York University, go to law school, become a Federal prosecutor, and come here in Congress. I knew, Mr.…”