The African Union Mission, in collaboration with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, hosted a special event to honor Honorable Charles Rangel, upon his retirement from the U.S. House of Representatives following 45 years of service. The event took place at the Woodrow Wilson Center on 15 November 2016. 

The event was celebrated by several members of Congress, the Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, African Ambassadors, senior Embassy officials, U.S. officials, as well as many supporters and friends of Africa.  

In their respective speeches, Ambassadors and Senior officials commended Representative Rangel’s for his contribution to the dismantlement of apartheid and his commitment to freedom and human rights, placing him on the pedestal of the right side of history. He was also highly praised for his contribution to strengthen U.S.-Africa relations.  He was also recognized as one of the key chief architects the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). 

At the end, Representative Rangel was awarded a proclamation by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, his friendship to Africa, the African Union and Diaspora.