[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H7824]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page H7824]]
     ANNOUNCING THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I seek to be recognized in order to 
officially for the first time on the Record place the passing from this 
life of our beloved colleague, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones of 
Ohio's 11th District.
  I would like to announce to my colleagues that after votes this 
evening, we will manage a special bereavement resolution. Many Members, 
I know, will want to pay tribute to Stephanie's beautiful life. We as 
Ohioans, as Buckeyes, share her son Mervyn's profound sense of loss; 
but also I know we share an equal gratitude for the manner in which she 
lived her life and what she contributed, not just to her family or her 
church family or her staff, but to our country and indeed to our world.
  When Stephanie hugged many of us before we left in August, I can tell 
you I certainly didn't think I would be down here this evening. Any 
Member who wishes to honor her life can do so after the votes are cast 
this evening.
  Let me just mention to my colleagues that we knew Stephanie here as 
Chair of the Ethics Committee and as the first African American woman 
to serve on the Ways and Means Committee. But her path was not an easy 
one. Coming from East Cleveland, she was a gregarious leader who blazed 
many trails.

                              {time}  1900

  She was one of the few women who have ever served in the Ohio 
delegation, and the first African American woman ever to be elected to 
the Congress of the United States from the State of Ohio. She was the 
first black woman to become a judge of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas 
Court, as well as the county's first African American prosecutor.
  She gave so much to so many. I always seemed to catch Stephanie 
running through the airport with her suitcase, traveling somewhere, 
with that boundless energy and that constant smile; and we will pay 
tribute more fully to her later this evening.
  To her son, Mervyn, who I would expect is listening this evening, we 
all know that your mother's strength will hold you now in a very 
profound way; and we extend our deepest sympathy to you. We know that 
in the years ahead you will come to appreciate even more what her life 
has meant to our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I think my dear colleague, Mr. Boehner, the minority 
leader, has remarks at this time.
  I will be happy to yield you time.
  Mr. BOEHNER. Let me thank my colleague from Ohio for her words.
  We all loved Stephanie. Here is a lady who gave her entire career to 
public service, and she did so in a way that was gregarious, that was 
outspoken, loud, if you will.
  All of you know Stephanie. Her office was next to mine over in the 
Longworth Building, and we always knew when Stephanie was coming back 
to her office because she would be walking down the hall talking to 
somebody. But she and I were friends and we were smoking buddies. Now, 
I know that might offend some of you, but you just never know how well 
you get to know someone over a cocktail. But here was a lady who blazed 
a lot of trails, who dedicated her life to public service, and someone 
that we will dearly miss in this Chamber.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman.
  And as I paid my respects at the wake the day before the service, I 
was reminded I had been in that church twice before to pay tribute to 
Stephanie's father who died during her tenure here, and then her 
husband who also died. And it was almost hard to walk into that church 
for the third time, and my respect for her grew even more for the 
strength that she showed to all of us despite these enormous personal 
losses that she had borne.
  Mr. Speaker, in concluding, let me just say that from 1 Peter 4:10-
11, this is what the prayer card said at her funeral service:

       Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve 
     others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various 
     forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the 
     very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the 
     strength God provides, so that in all things God may be 
     praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the 
     power forever and ever. Amen.

  And at the base of the card is Stephanie's signature with the words, 
``I hope I made you proud.''
  Mr. Speaker, may I ask now for the membership to rise and pay tribute 
to the life of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members will now rise for a moment of 
silence in honor of the distinguished gentlelady from Ohio, the 
distinguished chairwoman of the Ethics Committee, Congresswoman 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

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