Democrats call Stephanie Tubbs Jones’ death loss for party, nation

BY HAZEL TRICE EDNEY
NNPA

DENVER – She was among the most enthusiastic supporters of then presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. With loyalty as her mantra, she then joined her colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus and vowed to support Barack Obama, the Democratic nominee.

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58, was known for her dedication to every cause in which she adamantly believed - from the Clinton campaign to election reform to her most recent bill calling for more research into fibroid tumors, a bill that she was still championing when she died suddenly of a brain aneurysm Aug. 20.

Because of her adherence to principles of loyalty and consistency, the absence of Jones, chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee, loomed large at the Democratic National Convention this week.

Woman of conviction
“Dynamic, intelligent, committed, passionate, a bridge-builder, and for us as members of the House Democratic Caucus as well as the entire House of Representatives’ Black Caucus, she was a shining light,” said Congressional Black Caucus Chairwoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, in an interview following a brief salute to Jones during convention 2008activities this week.

“Her smile lit up the room. She was a woman of conviction. She took no prisoners and fought for what she believed in, which was justice, access and equality for everyone and she’ll be missed. We pledge to carry on her mission.”

Salute during convention
The sudden death of Jones hit hard across the nation as she and her congressional colleagues prepared for the Denver convention.

‘’Stephanie was a true American hero and inspiring leader, having spent a lifetime breaking barriers and standing up for her values,” said DNC Chairman Howard Dean in a statement.

“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.’’

Dear friend of Clinton, others
A former municipal judge and prosecutor, Jones had served in Congress for 10 years.

During her Tuesday night convention speech, Clinton referred to Jones as “a dear friend to many of us, a loving mother and courageous leader who never gave up her quest to make America fairer and smarter, stronger and better. Steadfast in her beliefs, a fighter of uncommon grace, she was an inspiration to me a

nd to us all.”

She acknowledged the presence of Jones’ son, Mervyn Jr., in the audience. Mervyn L. Jones Sr., her husband of 27 years, preceded her in death.

Jones chaired Ethics committee
Statements from congressional colleagues and friends of Jones were in abundance.

“Stephanie’s death leaves a hole in my heart and a vacuum in the Congress. Her fearless self-confidence was mediated by generosity that knew no bounds,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, an Obama supporter, who recently debated Jones on national TV.

“That self-confidence and Stephanie’s unfailing collegiality, character, judgment and her nimble mind led House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to appoint her to the most difficult post in the Congress – chair of the committee that judges her colleagues, the Ethics Committee.”

Jones was serving fifth Congress term
Jones won praises from inside and outside of Congress.

‘’I am speechless, and cannot express sufficiently what the loss of such an exemplary and beloved steward of the people means,” said John B. Smith Sr., chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

“Although she represented the people of Cleveland and surrounding Ohio communities with valor and distinction, Stephanie Tubbs Jones also represented and displayed what it is as a ‘chaplain for the common good,’ a public servant of God who remembered the community before advancing herself.”

Jones was serving her fifth term in office. She was the first African-American woman to chair the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics). She was also the first African-American woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee.

Pioneer Black judge in Ohio
She was also a pioneer for African-Americans as well as women. Prior to her election to the House, she served as the first African-American and the first female to serve as prosecutor in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

She was also 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 was an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and a lifelong member of Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, where she was a member of the board of trustees.

Memorial services in Cleveland
Memorial services were to be held Aug. 29 at Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland. On Aug. 30, a viewing and memorial service was set at the Cleveland Public Auditorium at the Cleveland Convention Center.

The family has requested that donations be made to The Stephanie Tubbs Jones Scholarship Fund c/o The Cleveland Foundation, 1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300 Cleveland, OH 44115. Checks should be made payable to The Cleveland Foundation with a notation for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Scholarship Fund.