Congressman Rangel released the following statement:

I want to express my extreme displeasure with statements by the President of Venezuela attacking U.S. President George Bush in such a personal and disparaging way during his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.

It  should be clear to all heads of government that criticism of Bush Administration policies, either domestic or foreign, does not entitle them to attack the President personally.

George Bush is the President of the United States and represents the entire country. Any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us.

I feel that I must speak out now since the Venezuelan government has been instrumental in providing oil at discounted prices to people in low income communities who have suffered increases in rent as heating oil prices have risen sharply.  By offering this benefit to people in need, Venezuela has won many friends in poor communities of New York and other states.  I am surprised that American oil companies have not stepped up to provide that kind of assistance to the poor.

Venezuela's generosity to the poor, however, should not be interpreted as license to attack President Bush.  Those who take issue with Bush Administration policies have no right to attack him personally.  It was not helpful when President Bush referred to certain nations as an "axis of evil."  Neither is it helpful for a head of state to use the sacred halls of the United Nations to insult President Bush."

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Pledges To Continue Fight on Behalf of Dominican Student, Others Whose College Dreams are Blocked by Unfair Immigration Laws.

Congressman Charles Rangel expressed disappointment with the failure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust the immigration status of Princeton University student Dan-el Padilla.

The 21-year old Dominican-born student, who graduated in June at the top of his class and earned a graduate scholarship to Oxford, was seeking to earn permanent residency status so that he could safely return to the United States after his studies. He came to this country on temporary visa when he was four, accompanying his mother as she sought medical treatment during the pregnancy of his younger brother.

It is unclear whether Padilla, who plans to leave for London this week, will be able to obtain a temporary visa in the future to see his family or even live stateside. For his part, Rangel said that he would continue lobbying DHS and other federal officials to allow Padilla to return legally to the U.S.

"It is a shame that one of this country's best and brightest students will not be allowed to return to the only place he has called home," said Congressman Rangel. "No one benefits from this lack of action -- not his loved ones who cannot see him and definitely not American society, which may lose out on his future contributions."

Rangel also pledged to continue to work on behalf of the hundreds of other immigrant children who find themselves locked out of a college education. He urged his Congressional colleagues to pass the DREAM ACT, which would allow undocumented students in good academic standing an opportunity to earn their permanent residency and eventually their citizenship.

"The power of the American Dream has always been that it was extended to all of those who sought it," said Rangel." We need to increase access to college for all talented young people, regardless of immigration status. The future of our nation and its ability to compete in global economy depends on the contributions of everyone."

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Tax policy professionals are voting for Congressman Charles Rangel as their choice to take over as chairman of the powerful Committee on Ways and Means. 

In an informal poll started last week by the respected Tax Analyst organization, respondents have overwhelmingly selected the Congressman over three Republican members of the Committee who are viewed as potential chairmen if Republicans retain the majority in the House of Representatives. Congressman Rangel is in line to chair the Committee if Democrats take over the majority.

"It's flattering that thoughtful professionals are betting on me," Congressman Rangel said.  "But what's even more important is that the voters, who have been victimized by the Bush Administration's tax policies, turn out on election day to cast a vote in favor of a new direction for the country."

The poll, which appears on the Tax Analyst web site, asks: "Who should succeed William M. Thomas, R-Calif., as the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee in the next Congress?  Jim McCrery, R-La, Nancy L. Johnson, R-Conn, E. Clay Shaw Jr, R-Fla, Charles B. Rangel, D-NY.

As of Tuesday afternoon, McCrery had 65 votes, Johnson, 42, Shaw, 97, and Rangel, 156.

Tax Analyst is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization fostering debate on federal, state, and international tax policy.  Its daily publication, Tax Notes, has among its subscribers, tax policy analysts and practitioners,  accounting firms, and the IRS.

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