
NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2007
Is Rangel's 'Monument to Me' Worth It?
N.Y. City College Building Presidential-Like Library For Congressman Paid For By Taxpayers
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Play CBS Video Video Rep. Wrangles Tax Money
Congressman Charles Rangel D-NY, earmarks tax money for a college building and gets his name on it. Sharyl Attkisson reports on the controversy this pork project is causing.
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"I cannot think of anything I am more proud of," says Rangel, D-N.Y., of a City College of New York building named after him. (CBS)
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"This is an effort to make sure that America's government looks like America," says City College spokeswoman Mary Lou Edmondson.
Nobody's taking issue with that. What they are griping about is that one member of Congress funneled $2 million in tax dollars into the project through a special "earmark" and the whole thing is named after him.
As CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson reports, that member of Congress is Rep. Charles Rangel - one of the most powerful Democrats on Capitol Hill.
"I cannot think of anything I am more proud of," said Rangel, D-N.Y.
According to promotional brochures, the soon-to-be refurbished building will house the new "Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service," the "Rangel Conference Center," "a well-furnished office for Charles Rangel" and the "Charles Rangel Library" for his papers and memorabilia. It's kind of like a presidential library, but without a president. In fact, the brochure says Rangel's library will be as important as the Clinton and Carter libraries.
Republican Congressman John Campbell of California says it's downright unseemly.
"We call it the 'Monument to Me,' because you're creating, or the person - in this case Congressman Rangel - is creating a monument to himself," he said.
In a debate on the House floor on July 19, Campbell, who's only in his second year in Congress, challenged Rangel, who's been there for 36 years.
"You don't agree with me or see any problem with us, as members, sending taxpayer funds in the creation of things named after ourselves while we're still here?" Campbell said.
"I would have a problem if you did it, because I don't think that you've been around long enough that having your name on something to inspire a building like this in a school," responded Rangel.
But the inspiration for Rangel's library and the idea to give it federal funding came from Rangel, not the college, according to Edmondson.
"Was it his requirement that his name be on the center?" asks Attkisson.
"I don't think we would ever think of not having his name on the center if we had his papers," says Edmondson.
"So he wanted his name on the center?"
Edmondson was at a loss for words in response.
Rangel wouldn't agree to an interview, but told Attkisson on the phone he's proud of the idea and has always tried to put as much money into schools as possible.
And he says education is what the Rangel Library is all about ... brought to you by Charles Rangel and your tax dollars.
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Sounds like a good thing to me.
""I cannot think of anything I am more proud of," said Rangel, D-N.Y."
He should be proud of it.
Its a bargain too. Two Million dollars is a good price reasonable. How many minutes of the Iraq war does that pay for? Arn''t there Republican execs who spend more that that on lunch engagements?
CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson and her Republican friend Congressman John Campbell of California should see if they too can manage to do something decent for somebody else sometime - rather smear and snear at people like Charlie Rangel who good works and get the credit they deserve.
It''s not like he will personally own the space. Duh!
What''s to be proud of? Done anything for Health care, or crime? Race Relations? Didn''t think so.
Why do you deserve a "Presidential Library"? I never even heard of you, till this morning!
Yup, the swindling of the American Tax Payer, continues
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by jimmyc1955
September 17, 2007 4:03 PM PDT
- Presidential libraries are paid for with private funds - not tax payer dollars and the are for Presidents. (In Bill Clinton''s case - just sell a few pardons.) Speaker of the house - though far less interesting I can understand a library for their documents.
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Reply to this comment
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See all 13 CommentsBut an 18 term congressman?? With public money?? And he is getting a office in this place too? Sounds like he is paying himself for his retirement.
This is pork - pure and simple. $2M will pay for the building, his name on it''s side and his office. There will be no benefit to anybody but Charlie. And his mouthing off that because he has been there 36 years he has earned it????? He chose to go into public service.Mr Rangel - take your money - your speaking engagement fees, your consulting fees and pay for life retirement and go home. Bleeding us for your self promoting grand stand is theft. Frankly - other than being the black rep from Harlem your accomplishments (besides mugging for the press and grandstanding every photo op you could worm your way into) is almost unnoticeable. Why don''t your raise private funds for this institution like real philanthropists do instead of our tax dollars.