Ohio Lawmaker Dies After Brain Hemorrhage

Democrat Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58, Was First Black Woman To Represent Ohio In Congress

(AP)  Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and a strong critic of the Iraq war, died Wednesday after a brain hemorrhage, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Tubbs Jones, 58, died Wednesday evening of a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst and left her with limited brain function, said Eileen Sheil, a spokeswoman for the Cleveland Clinic, which owns the Huron Hospital in East Cleveland where Tubbs Jones died.

"Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones' medical condition declined," Sheil said in a statement from the clinic and Tubbs Jones' family.

The liberal Democrat, first elected in 1998, suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in Cleveland Heights Tuesday night, said Dr. Gus Kious, president of Huron Hospital. The car went out of control and crossed lanes of traffic before coming to a stop, police said. An officer found the ailing lawmaker.

A brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery in the brain. It can leak or rupture, causing bleeding in the brain.

Several news organizations, including The Associated Press, had reported earlier in the day that Tubbs Jones had died. That report, citing a Democratic official, was corrected a few minutes later when a hospital official held a news conference to say she was in critical condition.

Tubbs Jones represented the heavily Democratic 11th District and chaired the ethics committee in the House. She was the first black woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, where she opposed President Bush's tax cuts and his efforts to create personal accounts within Social Security.

"After making history as the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Ohio, the congresswoman worked to expand the rights of all Americans," President Bush said in tribute. "Our nation is grateful for her service."

Tubbs Jones was a firm supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton during the primaries until throwing her support behind Sen. Barack Obama in June. She was to have been a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The Clinton family released a statement saying they shared a friendship with Tubbs Jones that "deepened through every trial and challenge."

"Over the course of many years, with many ups and many downs, Stephanie was right by our side - unwavering, indefatigable," the statement said. "It was that fighting spirit ... that allowed Stephanie to rise from modest beginnings, to succeed in public service, to become a one-woman force for progress in our country."

Obama called Tubbs Jones "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," Obama said in a statement.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who also represents Cleveland, was visibly upset Wednesday night when he left Huron Hospital. He held the hand of his wife, Elizabeth, as he recalled Tubbs Jones' energy and spirit.

"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."

Tubbs Jones was a passionate opponent of the Iraq war, voting in 2002 against authorizing the use of military force.

Just as the war was starting in March 2003, she was one of only 11 House members to oppose a resolution supporting U.S. troops in Iraq. She said she did so because the resolution connected Iraq to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and said Iraq poses a continued threat to the United States.

Neither of those claims had been proved, she said, adding that was why the United States couldn't persuade the United Nations to support an attack.

In 2005, Tubbs Jones opposed certifying President Bush's re-election because of questionable electoral results in her home state.

Tubbs Jones was known as an outspoken, gregarious lawmaker who wore bright colors and displayed her congressional pin on a gold necklace.

She was a fiery speaker who could inspire crowds at political rallies, as she did while introducing former President Clinton when he campaigned for his wife in January in suburban Cleveland.

Tubbs Jones had served as a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge and prosecutor before running for political office.

Addressing the Democratic National Convention in 2004, Tubbs Jones recalled her parents, who "punched a clock day in and day out - one as a skycap, the other as a factory worker," until the day they saw their daughter representing their hometown as a congresswoman.

[jsklinemn]

People do sometimes recover from brain aneurysms and lets hope this happens to her. I hate seeing anyone suffer through one of those.

[concorde5]

I''d have more sympathy for her if she had not supported hillary. What goes around comes around.

[stevex47]

She''s beloved in the Cleveland area. Hope she makes a speedy, full recovery.

[AlexKrislov]

You''d have more sympathy if she hadn''t supported Hillary?

I have heard of "mean-spirited" in my time, but you take the cake. That is absolutely disgusting. "She didn''t support my candidate, so I don''t care if she dies."

Rent a clue. Learn common decency. You are a walking monument to shameless behavior.

[concorde5]

"She didn''''t support my candidate, so I don''''t care if she dies."
Posted by Alexthek
------------------------

It doesn''t matter if she supported my candidate or not. I just don''t like Hillary supporters. I''d have more sympathy if she had supported McCain, Huckabee, Obama, or anyone other than Hillary.

[newyorker26]

My Prayers are with Congresswoman Jones.I wish her a speedy recovery , and all the strength and support her family needs.

[tx2democrats]

Alexthek thank you for your statement. At least you are a decent human being.

Concorde is an idiot still living in his mothers basement, pay no mind such idiocy.

[concorde5]

I suppose my comments were a bit mean-spirited and very insensitive.

She is a good woman and I hope she has a seedy and complete recover.

I apologize for my previous comments.

[pitsvill]

Strange how anyone that crosses the Clinton''s dies.

[marthadc007]

I was shocked and saddened to hear of this development. My concern and sympathy go out to Ms. Tubbs-Jones and family whatever the outcome be. Although I''m no Clinton supporter, I respect her for the robust debate she put forth for her candidate and the democratic party.

[bigherman49]

God bless this good woman. I hope she has a full recovery. Prayers are going out to her and her family.

[gypsyearthspirit]

Ms. Tubbs-Jones...to you a hopeful & speedy recovery, and may G-d strike the mean-spirited dead.

[dianaclary]

Honestly who cares who this woman supported for President? She is a human being and her family must be suffering terribly right now. I am not sure who needs prayers more--Rep Jones or the morally bankrupt people who wish her ill because of her political beliefs.

[commonsens1]

As an Obama supporter since the very beginning, I would like to send Rep. Tubbs-Jones a heartfelt wish for a speedy recovery. She has always taken a forthright and principled stand on difficult issues, and her loyalty to Senator Clinton was admirable as she wasn''t afraid to stand up for what she believed throughout the campaign, and still come together for the good of the country after the result became clear. Rep. Tubbs-Jones has always been a true inspiration, and will continue to be a hero of true-blue Democrats.

[phydeux2]

Hey Pitsvill, learn to read. She didn''t cross Clinton, she supported her. Either way its a sad thing.

I wish they''d advance full-body screening to the point where it can detect aneurysms and aortic dissections early enough for treatment and be inexpensive enough to do annually. Most aneurysms are there most of your life just waiting to MAYBE strike. We need ways to find them before its too late.

[coolbeans34]

I live in Cleveland and one of the news stations just broke in for a live report from the hospital. They say she is on life support and not expected to recover. Sad news, prayers go out to her family.

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

[godofredo29]

I wish her a full recovery.

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions. She is in God''s hands now.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[cebling-2009]

I lost my sister-in-law to a burst aneurysm in April. Unfortunately Rep. Jones has little chance of recovery at this point. I pray for wisdom and peace for her family as they face some difficult decisions. She is in God''s hands now.

tiddsanbeer - what a sad excuse for a human being you are.....

[coolbeans34]

Fox News Channel said they have an unconfirmed report that Stephanie Tubbs Jones has passed away. They''re waiting for a press conference from the hospital in the next few minutes.

[gypsyearthspirit]

this is typical of the ultra left wing DailyKos Kiddies spewing their hate...typical of mediamatters also... just because she supported Clinton and not Obama.. you people need help, some of these post are what MSNBCs Keith Obermnan would say with all his haterd of america

Posted by airmanc5 at 01:39 PM : Aug 20, 2008



Ms. Tubbs-Jones...to you a hopeful & speedy recovery, and may G-d strike the mean-spirited dead.

Posted by haniel1 at 01:36 PM : Aug 20, 2008



I am a Daily Kos and Media Matters reader AND Obama supporter, you dolt. Just like the righties to find one or 2 losers in the crowd and paint everyone else "in the room" as one of them as well.

Talk about "Haters"! *;*

[blackisbest]

To GOP_forever: All I can say is thank god for 0.J!
Is it hot down there nicole!
obama 08!

[usclimey]

this is typical of the ultra left wing DailyKos Kiddies spewing their hate...typical of mediamatters also... just because she supported Clinton and not Obama.. you people need help, some of these post are what MSNBCs Keith Obermnan would say with all his haterd of america

Posted by airmanc5 at 01:39 PM : Aug 20, 2008

Except if you check it out the haters were all righty-tighties like yourself. At least one of them had the decency to apologize. You are just an eejit.

If the Representative has dies - R.I.P.

[blackisbest]

To GOP_forever: Ask Tony Snow and Bob novak if they are hot as well.
obama 08!

Dear GOPForever,

Thank you for your statement.

Your one little burst of obscene hatefulness at a time when someone is passing and her loved ones are greiving shows a stark contrast between normal, moral, compassionate people with values and the GOP, which has none of the above qualities.

May God have mercy on your twisted remnant of a soul.

Now, go away.

[baycat571]

To her friends and family, who loved her, I give my condolences.

As a courtesy to Ms. Tubb-Jones, please refrain from hate speech here. If the report that she has died is true, anyone who claims to be Christian should leave it now to Christ.

Sadly, I do not expect such courtesy from GOP,Forever or Tiddsanbeer - whose logon names explain everything. Forgive them Lord, they know not what they do.

[blackisbest]

To GOP_forever: Lets drill near that old bag of bones Ronald Regan death hole. He was worthless in life so maybe now I use him to fill up my car!
obama 08!

[edward1975-2009]

May her family find comfort in their faith. And may they find strength in each other.

[blackisbest]

To Tiddsanbeer: Thank god for O.J. Hes my hero!
If there where more o.j''s Amerikkka would be a better place.

[wiccantexan]

I Googled her name in Google News; there are reports starting to appear about her death.

[smiley676]

shows a stark contrast between normal, moral, compassionate people with values and the GOP, which has none of the above qualities.

May God have mercy on your twisted remnant of a soul.

Now, go away.


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Posted by roooth

Please don''t associate GOPForever with the GOP. That''s simply stereotyping the many with the bad example of the few. I would hope that we are more intelligent than that.

[coolbeans34]

I need to correct my earlier statements. Stephanie Tubbs Jones has NOT died. I just watched a live news conference and the doctor said she is in critical condition with limited brain function.

[jon_mccain]

where they stick scissors into the skull of a baby...then suck it''''s brains out with a vacuum????

Tubbs just be gettin'''' her share.

Posted by tiddsanbeer

Is that what happened to your brain?

[questionnews]

GOP_forever

You''re hooking quite a few newbies today! If they only knew that you make posts not to express your opinion, but to infuriate others. You are as blue as the ocean & by making perverted statements that appear to come from Repub you''re trying to get people to dislike Repubs. (They need no help in that Dept.)
Well, I guess you have to get on with your day suckering people into responding to the stink bait you throw out. Good Luck & Good Fishing!

[wiccantexan]

U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first African-American woman to represent Ohio in Congress, has died after suffering a brain aneurysm, said sources familiar with the situation.

She was removed from life support at 12:19 p.m. at Huron Road Hospital, the sources said.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/stephanie_tubbs_jones_dies.html

[left_unity]

tiddsandbeer: Your mother should have aborted you...this world would be a better place had you never existed.

[blackisbest]

I say let o.j. keep up the good work! Gret job Mr. Simpson!

[rosieod4prez]

My condolences to her family and loved ones.

Something interesting about her in wikipedia: "In 2005, she came under fire after being named the congressperson with the fourth-highest (59)[9] total trips sponsored by lobbyists.[citation needed] She was selected by Speaker Nancy Pelosi as chairperson of the House Ethics Committee to watch over the standards of ethical conduct for members of the House."


Figures - thanks Pelosi.

[eggy1620]

Gop_forever & tiddsanbeer are perfect examples of why late term (& I mean posssibly 100th trimester) abortions should remain legal.

[blackisbest]

Ronald the "reneck" Regan is burning right now! ahhhh!

[pollroller1]

I sure hope that Rep Jones makes it. I will keep her in my thoughts and will be pulling for her to have complete recovery.

[smiley676]

Ronald the "reneck" Regan is burning right now! ahhhh!


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Posted by blackisbest

What is the matter with you?
Have some respect for Stephanie Tubbs Jones, she is a really good person.