UPDATE 3: Rep. Stephanie Tubbs dead at 58, Championed Voting Rights and Women's Health
by Kim PearsonUPDATING : Tributes are pouring in from around the country to mourn the death of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, 58. The five-term representative was declared dead at 6:12 pm EST according to a statement from her family and officials at Huron Hospital in Cleveland where she being treated for a brain aneurysm that occured Tuesday night.
Conflicting reports about Tubbs Jones' medical condition were issued throughout the day, saying first that her condition was stable, then that she had died, and later, that she was alive but in critical conditon. More detail in the updates and comments below.
UPDATING 2:39 EDT: CNN is reporting that hospital officials say that Tubbs-Jones is alive but in critical condition. Here is video of the hospital press conference earlier today.
UPDATING: The Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing "sources familiar with the situation" is reporting the Tubbs-Jones, 58, died this afternoon after being removed from life support at 12:19 pm. (h/t Politico.com). The Plain Dealer blog has a photo gallery looking back over her life and accomplishments.
ORIGINAL POST: Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH) suffered an aneurysm Tuesday evening and is on life support in a Cleveland hospital, according to news reports and a statement from her Congressional office.
According to news reports, the fifth-term Congresswoman was spotted driving erratically around 9pm Tuesday evening in the Cleveland Heights section of the city. A police officer found her unconscious in her car and arranged for emergency medical care.
According to a statement from Jones' Washington office, Jones' condition has "stabilized and she is receiving the best care available."
Tubbs Jones was an important supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential campaign. She was vocal about criticism she said that she received from other African Americans for standing with Clinton. In June, she followed Clinton's lead and switched her support to Sen. Barack Obama. Jones was scheduled to attend next week's Democratic National Convention as a superdelegate.
According to her Congressional biography, Jones chairs the House Committee on Standards and Official Conduct, sits on the Ways and Means Committee, and is an active member of the Congressional Black Caucus. She is the first African American woman elected to the US Congress from Ohio. Before entering Congress, she was a Cuyahoga County judge.
According to the National Institutes of Health, an aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in an artery. They occur most commonly in the aorta, but can occur in several other locations, including the brain. When a brain aneurysm bursts, it causes a stroke.
Bitterpoliticz is collecting messages of support for Tubbs-Jones for a get well card, noting her work to increase funding for uterine fibroids research as well as her effort to help Sen. Clinton pass the Count Every Vote Act. That bill, introduced n 2005. would have strengthened voting verification systems and improved ballot access, particularly in minority communities. It never reached a vote.
Image credit: Rep. Tubbs-Jones' online press kit
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Comments
Saddened by this
I really like Tubbs-Jones and my thoughts are with her and her family - and the people of Ohio who I think she's served admirably.
I have loved her responses to questions about Clinton and her response to Carlson and her smile. Just look at that woman. Awesome.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
A Terrible Loss
It's such a terrible loss of someone who was still in her prime. My sympathies to her family.
Megan Smith
BlogHer Contributing Editor, TV/YouTube
Megan's Minute: Quirky Commentary Around The Clock
Sigh
Very sad. Very sad day for all of us.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
From a district resident
Stephanie Tubbs Jones' absence will be legend for this area on so many levels. I voted for her time and again and I had the good fortune to meet her briefly a few times and observe her closely after the Cleveland Dem. primary debate. Her loyalty is unparalled.
My brief post. The Ohio blogs will be filled with posts about her legacy and, no doubt, the future of this region without her.
Thanks for noting this, Kim.
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
So so sad.
A real loss for the whole country. RIP.
Mom-101
Cool Mom Picks.com
I had a ruptured cerebral aneurysm....
...and when I read stories like this, I can only think how incredibly lucky I was. I've written about it a bit on my blog, but I've never done the full-out this is what happened. Some people say I should, but it feels a little bit like showing off to me (yeah, that doesn't make sense at all, I know, but it's how I feel).
By Jane
http://byjane.blogspot.com
http://midlifebloggers.com
Glad to know that you recovered
And yes, I am glad that you chose to share your experience. Thanks.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
I don't want this to be true
As I told Denise in a private email, wnen I looked for links on this post, I found several saying that she wasn't expected to recover. Aside from the fact that I don't want to pass along unverified rumors, I have a stubborn resistance to that kind of speculation that is born of experience. In my senior year of college, a friend who had nearly completed his Ph.D. also suffered a brain aneurysm. He was given a dire prognosis as well. He made it to graduation several months later in a wheelchair, wearing an eyepatch. Today he is a professor -- in Cleveland.
I reported her death because it came from a credible source, but I SO want them to be wrong.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
The sentiments of all her supporters here too
We would rather the police story had been a coverup for driving drunk or without a license or some other not lovely scenario than this. How desperate is that, that we didn't want to lose her?
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
Video, Ohio Gov. statement
This is from the Ohio Capitol statehouse reporter with Dix news.
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
The conflicting statements track with what I
am hearing
Thanks for posting this, Jill. The chief of staff at the hospital says she is alive with limited brain function, but I did hear that there are emails and text messages going around the state capital that she had died. In a situation like this, rumors will abound, so obtaining verification is crucial.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
Ray Miller is right on
When you've got a fight, you want Tubbs-Jones with you. Good video, thanks for sharing it Jill.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
I'll tell you how crazy it is here
I woke up and within two mins. of my computer being on this morning, got the first news alert about her accident last night. Then, I was at lunch with two of my kids at about 11:45 and got a call from a good friend (who'll be the official Ohio blogger on the floor at the DNC - you all say hi to him - Jeff Coryell - he's great) who was unable to check a computer telling me that he was hearing that she had passed away. I called my husband who was in a meeting and he didn't know anything. Then mintues later, Jeff called me back to say that she was not deceased but was on life support. That was all before 12noon. So - the 12:19pm report could be true - and Jeff has written already that she has passed, but that was based on the PD's reporting.
It's impossible to know for sure just yet but if the Gov. of the state of Ohio is issuing a statement, well...I would hope this isn't an error like the ones in the coal mining deaths a few years back, in reverse.
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
Latest update
Calling PD's report of the congresswoman's death "erroneous" and I also just seconds ago got a call from my husband who is downtown saying that indeed they're hearing that she may be in a dire situation but still holding on.
Here's the report.
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
Thanks, Jill -- a prayer vigil is also being
held
So says the latest from Politico.com.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
Prayer vigil details
From the Washington Post blog:
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
Thank you
I've updated al my posts and posted that info too.
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
The statistics are that 50%
The statistics are that 50% of all people who have a ruptured cerebral aneurysm never make it to the hospital, so she is in the good 50%. I was there too, and here I am!
By Jane
http://byjane.blogspot.com
http://midlifebloggers.com
RIP, Representative Tubbs Jones
Despite the incorrect earlier reports, Stephanie Tubbs Jones has passed away. May she rest in peace.
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From the Obama Campaign:
CHICAGO – In response to the statement issued by the Cleveland Clinic this evening confirming the passing of Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Senator Barack Obama made the following statement:
“Michelle and I are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was an extraordinary American and an outstanding public servant. It wasn’t enough for her just to break barriers in her own life. She was also determined to bring opportunity to all those who had been overlooked and left behind – and in Stephanie, they had a fearless friend and unyielding advocate. It was an honor to serve with Stephanie in Congress, and I know her legacy will live on in all those who walk the trails she blazed and walk through the doors she opened. Our hearts and prayers are with all those who knew and loved her,” said Senator Obama.Politics & News Contributing Editor
Queen of Spain
The mood in Cleveland
Very, very, very somber.
From 6:30-7:45 this evening, I was attending a fundraiser for Ohio AG Dem candidate Rich Cordray. At the portion of the event when the host was introducing Ohio Lt Gov Lee Fisher, he started with a moment of silence for Tubbs Jones and you could see dampness in the eyes of several people. Then he intro'd Fisher and Fisher spoke at length about the importance of Tubbs Jones' friendship and work to Fisher's personal and professional life and again, we all heaved a sigh of prayer for her. He intro'd Cordray who also went on to talk about Tubbs Jones when he was interrupted by a guest who said that he'd received six voice mails in the last several minutes telling him that she was pronouned dead at 6:12pm. Cordray had just been with her on Sunday and was in disbelief.
My understanding is that there will have to be a special election but that's all I've heard so far. Honestly, I think people are in total shock. Her absence is a crushing loss at a time when the Cuyahoga County Dem Party chair AND County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora is under enormous suspicion and pressure to resign (the 200+FBI and IRS agents that came in about three weeks ago now) and when Barack Obama is said to be even with McCain. Tubbs Jones wholeheartedly has shifted her support from Clinton to Obama but with the local Dem party under more of a cloud than ever and one of the most influential Ohio politicians in NEOhio and statewide gone, the question marks get only bigger here.
There are many places to find collections of thoughts. This piece is written by my writing mentor, Margaret Bernstein.
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
From the Clinton's
Tubbs Jones was a hardcore Clinton supporter and the Clinton's have issued a statement.
~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager
Flamingo House Happenings
That statement was impressive
Because it reads so differently from the usual "We are so very sorry...." statement. It's a tribute to a true friend.
Impressive. Beautiful. How wonderful to have that kind of impact on so many. These connections make it any better that her life ended so early relative to many - they just make it seem all the more worthwhile.
Laurie
Nice piece by the AP
Can be read here. I can totally hear Dennis Kucinich saying the quote contained in there:
"She poured her heart and soul into her job," Kucinich said. "She
worked so hard and gave everything she could. I'm devastated. Wherever
we'd go, we'd speak of each other as brother and sister. It's an
incalculable loss."
Jill
Writes Like She Talks
Blog tributes show Congresswoman's impact in
diverse communities
From Natasha at Young, Black and Fabulous:
Stonewall Democrats (via Pam Spaulding)
From Susie Madrak:
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
What a leader
I don't have the words here. She was an incredible, passionate leader -- and not be able to say goodbye? My heart is breaking for her family.
We need more women like Tubbs-Jones in office. That's the way to thank her.
Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette
Not being able to say goodbye is especially
heartbreaking
According to news reports, Rep. Tubbs Jones' husband died suddenly in 2003. It's hard to imagine what it must be like for her son to lose both of his parents that way.
And yes, the best tribute is to follow her example of principled, determined leadership.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
Official statement on the passing of Rep.
Stubbs Jones
via PRnewswire
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
Statement from Pres. and Mrs. Bush
From the White House Press office:
Laura and I are saddened by the death of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs
Jones.
As a proud lifelong resident of Ohio's 11th District, she devoted her
career to serving her community at both the State and national levels.
She was an effective legislator who was dedicated to helping small
businesses, improving local schools, expanding job opportunities for
Ohioans, and ensuring that more of them have access to healthcare.
After making history as the first African American woman elected to
Congress from Ohio, the Congresswoman worked to expand the rights of all
Americans. Our Nation is grateful for her service.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Mervyn Leroy Jones, II and the
rest of her family.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|
Comment from Cleveland TV anchor, sorority
sister
Excerpt from statement by News Channel 5's Danita Harris:
She's more than a congresswoman to me, she is my sorority sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a dear friend.
Video of Ms. Harris' coverage of the late Congresswoman is also on the page.
Rep. Tubbs Jones was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, one of the "Divine Nine" pantheon of African American fraternities and sororities. She often wore red, one of the sorority's colors, as a symbol of her Delta pride. Other prominent Deltas include the first African American woman elected to Congress, the Hon. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), who served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983. Of course, Chisholm was also the first woman to run for President of the United States. On the occasion of her death in 2005, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton paid tribute to Rep. Chisholm with the leadership of the Deltas.
Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|