Yesterday afternoon Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones passed on after suffering a brain aneurysm the night before. Police saw her unconscious in her car and immediately had paramedics transport her to the hospital, but the damage had already been done. Life support kept her alive for a little longer and now Ohio's 11th District and the Tubbs-Jones family has lost a truly great woman.
The NY Times does a great write-up of her accomplishments:
Considered a liberal, Ms. Tubbs Jones was a co-sponsor of legislative efforts to broaden health care coverage for low- and middle-income people and of programs supporting the re-entry of convicts into their communities. She was also the author of legislation requiring certification for mortgage brokers and stiffer penalties for predatory loans.
In June, Ms. Tubbs Jones voted against emergency supplemental financing for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I feel it important that we have a plan for a timely redeployment of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan before we continue funding what has become a seemingly endless war,” she said at the time.
When Congress officially ratified President Bush’s re-election in January 2005, Ms. Tubbs Jones joined Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, in initiating a rare challenge to what has historically been a polite formal ceremony. They were objecting to accepting Ohio’s 20 electoral votes for Mr. Bush, citing voting irregularities in the state.
She stood up for her beliefs and tirelessly fought for those that elected her to office and for all Americans. Truly 58 years too young.
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