Statement on the Passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /EMWNews/ -- It is with deep sadness

that we inform you of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones,

beloved mother to Mervyn Jones II, sister to Barbara L. Walker, dear

colleague, loyal servant and friend to all. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones

passed after being admitted to Huron Hospital having suffered an aneurysm

while driving her car in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Tuesday evening. She

was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. today. The official cause of death was an

aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.



    Her death followed a full day of activities, including planning for an

upcoming forum on electoral reform and other administrative duties

yesterday. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was scheduled to travel to Denver on

August 24, 2008 to attend the Democratic National Convention as a

superdelegate.



    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.



    Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has received numerous honors throughout her

lifetime including the National Bible Association Capitol Hill

Distinguished Leadership Award, Human Rights Campaign of Cleveland Equality

Award, Backbone Campaign's Backbone Award, and the Carib News

Multi-National Business Conference Marcus Garvey Award.



    Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is a graduate of Cleveland Public

Schools. She received her undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve

University, graduating with a degree in Social Work from the Flora Stone

Mather College in 1971. She received her Juris Doctorate form Case Western

Reserve University School of Law in 1974. Additionally, she has received

honorary doctorates from David N. Myers University, Notre Dame College,

Central State University and Cleveland State University.



    An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she served

on their national Social Action Committee. She was a lifelong member of

Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and was a member of their Board

of Trustees.



    Her husband of 27 years Mervyn L. Jones, Sr. preceded her in death.



    The Family and the 11th Congressional District Office wishes to thank

friends, constituents, and colleagues for their expressions of sympathy and

asks that the community allow the family privacy at this time. Thanks are

also extended to the Cleveland Heights Police Department and Emergency

Medical Services, Huron Road Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Gus

Kious, Chief of Staff at Huron Road Hospital. Information regarding funeral

arrangements will be forthcoming.