WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Charles Rangel issued the following statement commemorating Father's Day on Sunday June 19, 2011:

"This Sunday we take the time to recognize our nation's fathers, who play an important role in their children's lives. Dads provide security, support, and vital life lessons for kids as they grow into adulthood. The greatest joy of my life is being a father to my two children, Steven and Alicia, and a proud grandfather to Howard, Joshua and Charles.

In my Manhattan District, Hubert Reid overcame a crippling drug addiction to be the parent that his daughter, Nikita deserved. Reid established Harlem Men Stand Up in 2005 to encourage other men in the community to commit to fatherhood. Harlem Men Stand Up holds regular summits and offer social services to fathers in need. Other great organizations in the community are STRIVE Dads Embracing Fatherhood, Neighborhood Defender Service Diligent Dads Program, and organizations that provide a support network for youth and young men, such as Man Up in Harlem, 100 Black Men, Inc., 500 Men, Inc., NYC DADS Fatherhood Program, Mount Sinai Medical Center's Fathers Helping Fathers Program and the City University of New York (CUNY) Black Male Initiative.

This Father's Day falls on the same day as the 38th annual Skyscraper Classic at Marcus Garvey Park. The Classic is a chance for fathers to bond with their kids as they get an opportunity to learn how to ride a bike for the first time, improve their riding skills, get a free bike helmet, swap their bike for a better one, or even register their bike through the New York Police Department.

I hope that every child in my district has the full love and devotion of their fathers. To all the dads in the community, "Thank you for being there for your families."