United States Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones has died.
Cleveland.com
Tubbs Jones Family, Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic
August 20, 2008 - 6:40 p.m.
"Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' medical condition declined. Medical doctors and neurosurgeons from Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic sadly report that at 6:12 p.m. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died.
She dedicated her life in public service to helping others and will continue to do so through organ donations.
Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."
The Washington Post
Tubbs Jones was 58 and had served in the House since 1998, representing East Cleveland and the city's suburbs. She was the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, and she had been chairwoman of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct.
House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), a former chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus:
"I was stunned by the news today of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. There is a great gap where she stood on behalf of affordable health care, women's issues, access to quality education and fairness in voting.
"Whether you were a presidential candidate, a colleague debating on the floor or a friend passing time, you wanted her on your team for her quick legal mind, tenacious debating skills, her infectious humor and that thousand watt smile. My heart is heavy. She was larger than life and we will all greatly miss the Gentlewoman from Cleveland. My prayers are with her family, friends and staff."
And this from a statement by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.):
"I'm lucky enough to say that Stephanie was more than a colleague - she was a friend. Her son Merv was a student in my mother-in-law's fifth grade classroom and I was honored when she invited me to visit her home state and meet with Ohio Democrats. I'm grateful that I will have the memory of her boundless spirit and energy and my thoughts and prayers are with the Jones family during this difficult time."
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) speaks to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections
in Cleveland, May 8, 2006. photo Mark Duncan/AP.
The New York TimesIn the days to come, Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones will have many Senators, and hundreds of thousands of friends, lining up to say goodbye.
Congress officially ratified President Bush's election victory on Thursday, but not before Democrats lodged a formal challenge to the electoral votes from Ohio, forcing an extraordinary two-hour debate that began the 109th Congress on a sharp note of partisan acrimony.
It was only the second such challenge to a presidential race since 1877. Even the bitter contest in 2000 between President Bush and Al Gore did not produce a formal challenge to the results from Florida, the site of a 36-day standoff. Although House members objected, no senator joined in, as is required under federal law.
But on Thursday, a single senator - Barbara Boxer, a California Democrat who was sworn in Tuesday for a third term - joined Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Democrat of Ohio, in objecting to Ohio's 20 electoral votes for Mr. Bush, citing voting irregularities in the state.
Lawmakers convened in the House chamber precisely at 1 p.m., as prescribed by federal law, with Vice President Dick Cheney presiding. In a ceremony as old as the Constitution, four Congressional pages accompanied Mr. Cheney, carrying two wooden boxes that each held a stack of sealed manila envelopes with the results of the Electoral College votes in the states.
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH) challenges ratification of Bush election, January 6, 2005.
photo Stephen Crowley/New York Times.
Mr. Cheney read the names aloud in alphabetical order. When he came to Ohio, Ms. Jones and about a dozen other House members silently rose, as did Mrs. Boxer. Politely but firmly, Ms. Jones said she had an objection.
"And I do have a senator," she declared.
Fare-thee-well, Congresswoman.
Thank you for your service and your bravery.
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