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Rangel said that nothing will stop him from clearing his name from allegations being investigated by the House Ethics Committee.

"That’s all I’ve been after. An opportunity to say I came in 40 years ago with dignity and there is no question in my mind that there will be no obstacles politically or in the newspapers that are going to stop me, good health allowing, that are going to stop me from clearing my name from these vile and vicious charges," said the Harlem Democrat.

The congressman also said he will not submit to calls for his resignation.

Rangel faces charges and a hearing stemming from an investigation into whether he failed to pay taxes on rental properties, used congressional stationary to solicit donations for a City College center in his name, and illegally rented multiple rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem.

He said, however, that all talk of ethics allegations will take place in Washington; as of Thursday, he says he will not be able to entertain any more questions about the charges he's facing.

"What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. What happens on the House floor stays on the House floor, as part of the congressional record. What happens to me in Harlem, Washington Heights, El Barrio, the West Side...I'm yours," Rangel said.

Despite saying this, he spoke at length about the charges, only briefly touching upon his thoughts on jobs, health care and education.

When talking about his upcoming re-election bid, Rangel took a shot at his challengers who he will face in the September primary.

"There's no question in my mind that there are people that can more than adequately represent this great district. The problem is none of them are running in this race," he said.

Rangel made clear that he will be campaigning – pointing to lessons he learned in his first campaign running against Adam Clayton Powell Jr., whose son, Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell IV, is amongst Rangel's Democratic challengers.

"It's tarnishing his 40 year legacy. That's why many of us, including the president, Barack Obama, has asked him to please resign, retire with some level of dignity, with some honor," said the Assemblyman.

Rangel thanked all the politicians that joined him Wednesday night at his celebration for his 80th birthday.

The pending trial did not discourage some of the state's highest officials from attending – including Governor David Paterson, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, both New York senators, and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo.

"His voice has always been a powerful voice for the forgotten people and the forgotten places of this nation," said Cuomo. "That's why we're here tonight to say 'Happy birthday, Congressman Charles Rangel.'"

"You being here, not just here tonight, but being here over the very many, many years, has given me the strength to do what has not been convenient; but to do what we know is right," said Rangel.

The bash came one day after Rangel gave an impassioned, 38-minute speech on the House floor where he once again defended himself and refused to resign.