The bass of the drums and the sounds of marching feet led by the Pathfinders Drum Corps set the mood for this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial service at the Grand Concourse Seventh Day Adventist Temple on  January 13.  In honor of Dr. King’s memory, guest speaker Congressman Charles Rangel from the 15th Congressional District welcomed the parishioners as if he knew everyone personally, joking several times throughout his speech and receiving laughter from the audience.

Rangel is the senior Democratic member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, which is responsible for writing bills  on such issues as  Medicare, pension plans, and affordable housing. Rangel  has also been in the news recently for attempting to bring back the military draft. 

After a harmonious musical selection performed by the Young Adult Choir,Congressman Rangel’s time to speak approached.    He was introduced by the Rev. Wendell T. Foster, a friend of 25 years and the pastor of Christ Church.  “From Roosevelt Island to Washington Heights,” Foster  said, “Congressman Rangel’s influence spans all over New York.”

The audience nodded in agreement as Rangel asked  “What would Dr. King do?” in regards to the everyday struggle faced by Americans, particulary  minorities. Rangel’s speech seemed intended to make his listeners think critically about how Revered Dr, Martin Luther King Jr’s  life and legacy impacts African Americans on an everyday basis. 

Rangel also recalled his earlier days of growing up in Harlem and fighting in the Korean War.  Describing how he was shot at while stuck in an underground hole, Rangel said  prayer had lead him to safety, .and that  he had never had a bad day since. 

Rangel said that he hoped many others who had experienced extremely difficult times could remember the ways in which they were fortunate.

“His speech was very powerful,” said Bronx resident Linda Seward.  “He has affected me because I feel that if he can do it, than it is possible for other African-American men and woman to be just as successful.”

Revered Foster described Rangel’s speech as “Magnificent, spoken from the mouth of a good man.”