[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 156 (Thursday, December 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CONSIDERATION OF RANGEL CENSURE RESOLUTION

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                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, as a member of the Ethics Committee, I have 
carefully reviewed evidence in the matter of Congressman Rangel and 
believe the Committee's recommendation for censure is appropriate. 
While the censuring of a Member of Congress is a rare and significant 
action, I am confident this is the proper penalty for the House to 
impose on Mr. Rangel, given the accumulation and totality of his 
offenses.
  On November 16, a bipartisan adjudicatory subcommittee on which I 
served found 11 of the 13 counts Mr. Rangel faced were supported by 
clear and convincing evidence. I believe the most egregious of these 
offenses included violating the Ethics in Government Act by submitting 
numerous inaccurate financial disclosure statements and violating the 
Code of Ethics for Government Service by running a campaign office from 
a property leased as a rent-stabilized residential apartment.
  I also believe it is appropriate for Mr. Rangel to provide 
restitution for his failure to pay taxes. As long time member and 
former Chairman of the House's tax-writing committee, Mr. Rangel's tax 
violations cannot be ignored.
  Violations like those committed by Mr. Rangel, individually and 
cumulatively, damage the public's trust in their elected officials and 
this institution. However, the House has the opportunity today to 
restore the American people's confidence in this body by illustrating 
that Members of Congress are accountable for their transgressions and 
will face appropriate penalties for their misconduct.
  Madam Speaker, while this difficult occasion is by no means a 
pleasant duty for any of us, it is nonetheless a necessity. Therefore, 
we now must demonstrate our commitment to high ethical standards by 
voting to censure Congressman Rangel.

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