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.

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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.

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

Comments

[garrett03]

She was a great advocate for human-rights. RIP Tubbs Jones

[preatorius]

Sad RIP

[BillN]

Rest in peace, gentle lady. I hope your constituents appreciate you as much as I do.

[barriosbabe]

Isn't she the hero featured in Michael Moore's movie, shown standing up re the certification fiasco?

Bravo.

[NewOrlinNC]

Are you all noticing how many people, not coincidentally overweight, are dropping dead in their 50s of non- terminal illnesses (i.e. cancer) lately? I think of Tim Russert and Bernie Mac in addition to now, Rep. Tubbs-Jones. It is such a waste of talent.
Sure, their high body fat index is not the immediate cause of their deaths. But excess weight and lack of exercise (over a lifetime) can increase one's risk of stroke, heart attack, and fatal illnesses. It certainly reduces one's life expectancy. This is one thing Oprah preaches on her shows, yet curiously she cannot seem to practice. What is all that success and money worth, in the case of these celebrities, if you're not around to enjoy it?
I think when people die tragically young, those left behind should try to learn from these situations and take stock of their own lives. In this case, I think this country should do more towards ending the epidemic of obesity in America.

[ShanniC]

You make a good point, but a woman is dead. There is a time and place for everything buddy. You can champion the cause of a healthy lifestyle later. Perhaps this thread could be devoted to sharing the positive impact this lawmaker had on Americans.

On a more somber note, Rep. Jones' family has my condolences.

[NewOrlinNC]

I seriously doubt the family is turning to Huffington Post for their condolences. This is a POLITICAL blog buddy, not the sympathy book at the funeral. I am sure the Congresswoman's office on Capitol Hill has the proper address where you can send her family your condolences. I, for my part, hope that her family members have their health checked for any signs of vascular disease, and look at any ways they (as we all) might adopt a healthier lifestyle so that they can live long, prosperous lives. Of course, this will take place after the grieving process, but hopefully it won't be forgotten.

[graceandmercy]

Her larger than life smile will be missed. My prayers are with her son and the other members of her family.

[apoyo]

Lovely picture. A smile bigger than life. Blessings to her and all her loved ones.

[thankulord13]

People like Tubbs-Jones and Maxine Waters are the conscience of our government and our nation as a whole. Even when Bush and company were lying to sell a war this woman stood against the tide and even was called un-American and unpatriotic. But at the end of the day she was right and most of us was wrong.

[schicklett3]

May this wonderful woman rest in peace - God be with her family.

[cheshirecat831]

What a great lady. I hope they have a segment honoring her and her work at the convention. Definitely a loss.

[doctorwang]

I agree with you. I have to believe that there will be some sort of tribute paid to her at the convention.

[IncredulousGeezer]

A life well lived.

Peace be with you, gentle lady.

[freeus]

my condolences to her family, and thanks for her attempts to work on the light side of the force

[forpeace]

*

My condolences to her family.

She will be missed.

*

[liveandlearn]

did she die, or did the news report jump the gun? either way, i'm sorry. she was a great asset to ohio, cleveland, the democratic party, and the united states.

[Quilter]

Stephanie Tubbs Jones signified the best of what Democrats are. We may not always walk lockstep, but we're still soldiers. R.I.P.

[fanchon1288]

R.I.P. Stephanie. Another soldier gone, you will be missed.

[sheikwil]

My prayers go out to her family. I didn't care for her the way she was so mean to Obama when she was supporting Hillary, but my heart does go out to her family. She can RIP with her husband now.