At NYU’s 175th Commencement Exercises in Washington Square Park, President John Sexton today presented the University’s Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City to 19-term Congressman Charles Rangel, NYU alumnus, dean of the New York delegation, and chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Some 19,000 graduates, faculty, staff, and guests attended the morning ceremony.
The following citation was read in presenting the award, which honors service to the city and its communities typified by NYU alumnus and trustee Lewis Rudin during his life:
“Charles B. Rangel-native New Yorker, decorated veteran of the Korean War, attorney and prosecutor, congressional leader serving your 19th term in the U.S. House of Representatives as dean of New York’s delegation, your path from the streets of Harlem to the corridors of power has been marked by humor and vigor, commitment and civility. Your signal legislative victories reflect your love for our city: you have empowered urban neighborhoods; created affordable housing; led the fight against drug abuse and trafficking; increased jobs for underprivileged youngsters, veterans, and ex-offenders; and struck a mighty blow to apartheid via the U.S. Tax Code. As Chairman of one of the oldest and most powerful committees in Congress, the Committee on Ways and Means, you bring to bear your intelligence and independence, your insight and integrity on its commanding constitutional mandate for directing how revenue is raised-and spent-in support of the federal government. Alumnus of NYU, Stern Class of 1957, and holder of this university’s highest honor-an honorary degree bestowed in1988-we are delighted to welcome you home to Washington Square and proud to present you, Mr. Chairman, The Lewis Rudin Award for Exemplary Service to New York City.”