Thursday, August 21, 2008

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones

Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Chair of the Ethics Committee and representative of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio, passed away yesterday. The official cause of death was an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. She was only 58.

From the statement from her office:
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is the first African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. Congresswoman Jones is a lifelong resident of the 11th District, which encompasses most of the East Side of Cleveland and parts of the West Side of Cleveland and includes parts of 22 suburbs.

Currently in her fifth term in office, the Congresswoman was a strong advocate for many issues, and championed wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The Congresswoman was the first African-American woman to chair the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) and the first African-American woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. She was an active member of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has made a number of historic achievements in her distinguished career as a public servant. Prior to her election to the House, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones served as the first African-American and the first female Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutor. She was the first African-American woman to sit on the Common Pleas bench in the State of Ohio and was a Municipal Court Judge in the City of Cleveland.

She will indeed be missed by many.

From Dr. Howard Dean, Chair of the DNC:

We are greatly saddened about the passing of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was a true American hero and inspiring leader, having spent a lifetime breaking barriers and standing up for her values. Just last week I was honored to have Stephanie join me on the campaign trail in Ohio where, as always, her infectious energy, enthusiasm and passion uplifted the crowd. Her voice will be greatly missed. This is a great loss for our Party and our nation. On behalf of the Democratic Party, we extend our thoughts and prayers to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' friends and family during this difficult time. (emphasis added)

I will light at candle for her on Sunday.

2 comments:

Lisa Snider said...

My boss was pretty upset. He knew her personally and lived in her district for a time.

GiGi said...

I've been weepy ever since I heard about it. Very sad. I'm sure Ed is feeling it even more so if he knew her. What an amazing woman.