Charles Bernard Rangel, born on June 11, 1930, in Harlem, New York City, is a Democrat and former U.S. Representative from New York's 13th congressional district (1971-2017). Raised Catholic, he excelled early in school while working at a neighborhood drug store from age eight. He attended DeWitt Clinton High School but frequently skipped classes, leading to police involvement, and dropped out in 1948 to enlist in the U.S. Army. During the Korean War, Rangel was wounded in combat, earning a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for heroism. After his service, he obtained his GED, pursued higher education, and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1960 following his law degree. Rangel practiced law briefly before entering public service in the New York State Assembly (1967-1970), where he built his reputation as a civil rights activist committed to Harlem's interests. His parents married young, and he had an older brother named Ralph.