US Rep. Tubbs Jones of Ohio dies after hemorrhage

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Cleveland Clinic official says Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio has died.

Clinic spokeswoman Eileen Sheil says Tubbs Jones died at 6:12 p.m. Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst and left her with limited brain function.

The 58-year-old Tubbs Jones was the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress and a strong critic of the Iraq war. She suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in her east side district Tuesday evening.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) _ Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress, had a brain hemorrhage and was in critical condition with limited brain function, a doctor said Wednesday.

Tubbs Jones, 58, suffered the hemorrhage while driving her car in Cleveland Heights on Tuesday, said Dr. Gus Kious, president of Huron Hospital in East Cleveland. The congresswoman had been driving erratically and her vehicle crossed lanes of traffic before coming to a stop, police said.

Tubbs Jones "collapsed when she suffered a very serious brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst in an inaccessible part of her brain," Kious said during a news conference. A team of doctors who evaluated her determined she has limited brain function.

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

Story continues below

advertisement

Family friend Joe Hewitt asked people to pray for the congresswoman. Family members including Tubbs Jones' son, Mervyn Jones II, attended the news conference but left without commenting.

East Cleveland Mayor Eric Brewer, a longtime friend of Tubbs Jones, said it wouldn't be appropriate to consider the political vacuum in Ohio if she cannot serve.

"As far as we're concerned, she's still here until further notice and until the Lord says it's her time to go," Brewer said at the hospital following the news conference. "Right now, She's our congresswoman."

Tubbs Jones, elected in 1998, was one of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's biggest boosters during the primaries and is to be a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

Although she backed Barack Obama in June, Tubbs Jones has said Obama can't win unless Clinton's supporters rally behind him.

"She is a passionate and tireless advocate for the people of Cleveland and a devoted public servant for all Americans," Obama said in a statement. "We send our heartfelt prayers to Stephanie and her family at this very difficult time."

Tubbs Jones represents the heavily Democratic 11th District and chairs the ethics committee in the House. She's 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.

Several news organizations, including The Associated Press, had earlier reported that Tubbs Jones had died. The AP cited a Democratic official.

The reports prompted Sen. John Kerry to issue a statement mourning her passing.

___

Associated Press Writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[ChristopherLib]

A great liberal lioness. A fierce and loyal Hillary supporter. A terrific all round person. RIP.

[markie1111]

a brilliant mind that will sorely be missed....­. big empty shoes.

[Mygirl]

Rest In Peace !

[1sparrow]

everybody must see the documentary called "american blackout" from 2006. does no one see the timing here? nobody mentioned it in hundreds of comments and news articles. i knew something would happen under the blanket of news coverage of the olympics . but i did not nor could i ever have believed it would be polls showing mccain ahead of obama. please- please see the documentary or go to the web site. mckinney and jones are true heroes of the voters of these united states.

[KQuarksSuperKollider]

Godspeed to Ms. Tubbs Jones she was indeed a fearless liberal lioness force in the House.

[DEMTRUPATRIOTS]

i just watched a rerun of an interview with brian lamb of cspan and rep. tubbs-jone­s....what an amazing and articulate woman. women,blacks, and dems clearly lost an impoetant advocate..­..but more importantly the country lost a great citizen and patriot. my condolences to her family....­...God speed, stephanie.

[MeLuvHillary]

I absolutely loved Stephanie. She was a joy to watch and listen to. Whatever you think of her political choice, she was, no doubt, as skilled, smart, and articulate as they come. On top of all that, she was a warm and caring person. I got to meet her a few times. I would have liked to see her do so much more. She will be greatly missed. Best wishes to her family in this hard time. R.I.P Stephanie.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

My condolences to Rep. Tubbs Jone's family, friends, and constituents. My hat goes off to her, because as O supporters, say what we may, she was a fierce and loyal supporter of HRC. She's the type of warrior you want on the front line with you. There were many days I was screaming at her through my television and at the same time wishing she was on the O team during the primaries. In the world, we live in today loyalty is a character trait which is almost obsolete, and yet she was the epitome of a loyal warrior to her candidate of choice.

RIP, Warrior Tubbs-Jones

[IRepTheKing]

I thought I was the only one who yelled at her through my TV sceen. But still, as you say she was loyal. I join you in saying that I admired her passion (though I disagreed with the which candidate she backed). I was looking forward to hearing her back our candidate with that same passion as the election went on.

I pray that her family is comforted in this sad time for them.

[xmw]

This is very shocking news! She was fierce and strong. I so admired her even though I supported Obama early on. Aneurysms are just on the increase lately. I personally have three acquantances who have died of them in th past year. a fourth was fortunate enough to survive as she never had headaches and immediately knew something was wrong. She is 33 and very lucky. IF YOU GET A SUDDEN SHARP SLEDGE HAMMMER HEADACHE, GET TO THE DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY FOR AN MRI FOLKS.

[nccp1870]

She was brilliant not only as a politician, but as a human being. She is someone I confidently hold up as a model of citizenship and servicre to young folks---especially young women. She will be missed in so many ways. My condolences to her family and her constituents, whom I hope will work to fill her seat with someone she would approve of.

[clementinag]

SHE WAS A CREDIT TO HER FAMILY, HER GENDER , HER RACE....AN­D HER PARTY.

GOD BLESS.....­.

[Margij]

My condolences to her family and friends. I hope we will hear from Hillary today.

[Crozier]

May she rest in peace !

[oscartucker]

Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a strong person! I did not agree with Stephanie's political choice, but she was one who was committed and kept her word and promises. Stephanie, a grand lady of D S T.

[nellie]

http://www.truthout.org/article/stephanie-tubbs-jones-champion-electoral-justice