Following a 333-79 vote by the full House of Representatives, 20-term Congressman Charles Rangel was publicly reprimanded Thursday by way of censure, two weeks after being found guilty of ethics violations.

The House began to debate on the matter shortly before 4 p.m.

Prior to the censure vote, House members voted on an amendment that would have downgraded Rangel's punishment to a reprimand -- a move which was defeated.

Only a simple majority was needed to approve the censure.

Majority Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who did not vote on the amendment, delivered the brief reprimand as Rangel stood in the well of the House.

Afterwards, the congressman acknowledged his shortcomings and apologized, but said the troubles paled in comparison to his service in the Korean War.

"But because I was able to survive that combat situation I'm here, I'm strong, and I made a vow not to complain about any events that have happened, because, for my career, for a guy from Lennox Avenue that still lives on Lennox Avenue, I haven't had a real day that's worse than the one I had on November 30th, 1950."

The House arrived at censure after an ethics subcommittee in November found Rangel guilty of 11 of 13 alleged violations raised against him, including misusing resources when soliciting campaign funds, not paying income taxes for years on a house in the Dominican Republic, and not properly disclosing financial records.

In statements made before the censure vote was taken, some representatives came out in support of Rangel, while others continued to push for censure.

"Let us apply the same standard of justice that has been applied to everyone else, and which all of use would want applied to ourselves. With that, I respectfully urge a vote against censure," said Congressman Peter King of Long Island.

"Most egregiously, the committee found Mr. Rangel failed to pay his income taxes for 17 years. And this while serving as chairman of the committee that writes the tax laws for the nation," said Congressman Michael McCaul of Texas.

In the history of the House, Rangel is the 23rd member to be publicly censured on the floor.

A top Washington ethics lawyer tells NY1 the censure will leave a major blemish on Rangel's record.

"It's embarrassing when you get right down to it, particularly for a man who has had a career as distinguished as Mr. Rangel's, after being in Congress for so many years in a top leadership position," said attorney Kenneth Gross.

As for Rangel's political future, it remains unclear. When asked if he would serve out the rest of his 20th term and maybe run for reelection, the 80-year-old lawmaker joked that at his age he doesn't buy green bananas.

Meanwhile, Rangel's constituents in Manhattan reacted to his historic punishment -- many of whom say the censure was too harsh.

"He's done a lot for the community," said one Harlem resident. "Rangel represents a lot of the black and minorities and it was wrong. A lot of people have done a lot worse than he has."

"My heart goes out to him," said another. "I really sympathize with him. Due to the fact that they have done what they've done I think the penalties he received should have been less than what they actually did for him."

On Thursday's edition of "Inside City Hall," Rangel's longtime friend and State Assemblyman Keith Wright weighed in.

"There was no criminal wrong, there was no unjust enrichment. There were no crimes committed," Wright said. "Those who have historically been censured have been alleged to have committed some sort of moral turpitude, some sort of corruption, and quite frankly Rangel did not engage in any of those things. So I think members of congress were torn."

Rangel received overwhelming support from Manhattan voters.

Despite facing ethics charges during election season he overcame a primary challenge and was easily re-elected to a 21st term.