Charles B. Rangel was born in Manhattan and he still lives there. He received a bachelor's degree from New York University in 1957 and a law degree in 1960 from St. John's University Law School.

He served in the Army, 1948-52, during the Korean War. He rescued 40 men from behind enemy lines, winning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He worked for the U.S. attorney's office for New York City and was an attorney for the New York City Housing Redevelopment Board.

He was elected to the state Assembly in 1966, serving until 1970.

He was first elected to the U.S. House in 1970.

Rangel and his wife, Alma, have two children.

Past Campaigns:

Charles Rangel was elected to the U.S. House in 1970 with 87 percent of the vote, defeating Rep. Adam Clayton Powell. Powell, a onetime black icon, was facing allegations that he had misued committee funds.

Rangel was re-elected to ten consecutive terms, facing no Republican challenger in 1990. He was re-elected in 1992 with 95 percent of the vote. He defeated independent candidate Jose Suero with 96 percent of the vote in 1994. He was re-elected in 1996 with 91 percent of the vote against Republican Edward Adams. He handed Suero another defeat in 2000 capturing 91 percent of the vote.

Rangel defeated Republican Jessie Fields in 2002 with 87 percent of the vote.

Credit: washingtonpost.com