[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DEATH 
 OF THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE STATE 
                                OF OHIO

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to one 
of our own; my friend and colleague, the Honorable Chairwoman Stephanie 
Tubbs Jones who represented the 11th congressional district of Ohio for 
five terms. Sadly she passed away at the young age of 59 on August 20, 
2008 from an aneurysm in her brain. She is survived by her son, Mervyn 
L. Jones II, and her sister Barbara Walker.
  Congresswoman Tubbs Jones truly was a pioneer. She became the first 
African-American woman to chair the Committee on Standards of Official 
Conduct in the 110th Congress and the first African-American woman to 
serve on the Committee on Ways and Means in the 108th Congress where 
she played an important role on the health subcommittee. She fought 
tirelessly for wealth building and economic development, access and 
delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The 
Congresswoman had the ability to remain grounded and always continued 
to work and include the interests of her constituents when dealing with 
issues.
  It was an honor and a privilege to have worked directly with her on 
the Committee on Ways and Means. On the Health Subcommittee she focused 
on End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), disparities and she played an 
important role in the SCHIP debate. She was a strong supporter of tax 
provisions designed to encourage the rehabilitation of historic, and 
other real property, and to encourage community development. Despite 
her constituency that is mainly unionized, she supported the Peru Trade 
Promotion Agreement and other free-trade agreements as long as they met 
the International Labor Organizations Declaration on Fundamental 
Principles and Right to Work.
  She will be missed by members on both sides of the aisle and by staff 
on the hill who admired and enjoyed working with her as well. We who 
knew and worked with her will surely be among many who will miss her 
smile, her tenacity, and her infectious love of life. She leaves us an 
inspirational legacy, a memorable record of public service and a charge 
to keep fighting for what is right and just. She will forever be in our 
hearts.

                          ____________________