[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13]
[House]
[Pages 18037-18045]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS TRIBUTE TO THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE TUBBS 
                                 JONES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 18, 2007, the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Ms. KILPATRICK. For the Members who have sat all night as we pay 
special homage to our friend, colleague, and very special woman, 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their 
remarks and include extraneous material on the Special Order for 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. I'd like to yield to the former chairman, my 
predecessor of the Congressional Black Caucus, Congressman Mel Watt.
  Mr. WATT. I thank the gentlelady for convening this Special Order for 
us to pay tribute to our friend and colleague, Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  In the midst of all our sadness I think the one thing that keeps 
occurring over and over and over again is wonderful, uplifting, fun 
stories and memories of Stephanie Tubbs Jones. In fact, I was 
privileged to share a whole sequence of fun, funny, uplifting 
experiences with Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and I concur with my colleague, 
Emanuel Cleaver, who made a comment earlier that this life did not 
cheat our friend Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She lived and enjoyed every 
single minute of it. Even when she was working, she was having fun. So 
I suspect you're going to hear from this group that is coming for this 
Special Order more stories about our experiences with her because they 
were all a series of fun experiences.
  Let me start with this experience. Probably 3 weeks before Stephanie 
Tubbs Jones' death, 7:30 a.m. in the morning the phone rings at my 
residence in Charlotte, North Carolina, and on the other end is 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones saying, Mel, I got into your city last night at 
about 10 o'clock in the morning. I was on my way from Memphis, 
Tennessee, where I had been campaigning for a person who was running 
for Congress, and I was on my way to give a speech in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and there was bad weather in Cincinnati, Ohio, and I ended up spending 
the night at a motel in Charlotte, North Carolina, and I don't have any 
clothes and I am supposed to be giving a speech in Cincinnati later 
today. What can you do for me?
  I said, Well, Stephanie, no problem. I will just have somebody pick 
you up, take you to the shopping center. You can do your shopping, buy 
a whole new wardrobe. So she went to all this excuse to go shopping. We 
will hook you up.
  So that very morning, as soon as the stores opened in Charlotte, one 
of my staff members had Stephanie Tubbs Jones at the mall and she did 
her shopping and we got her to the airport by 11:30 that morning to 
catch her flight to Cincinnati. She went to Cincinnati and gave her 
speech.
  Now I missed the opportunity to see the outfits--not one, but 
outfits--that Stephanie Tubbs Jones purchased that morning. She 
promised me she was going to show me the special outfit that she 
purchased, and I never got the opportunity to see it.
  But as those kinds of stories that make Stephanie Tubbs Jones a real 
person to us, not just a colleague in Congress, but a friend, a peer, a 
confidante, a person that you knew that if she ever made a commitment 
to you, would be there come heck or high water. I am cleaning it up a 
little bit.

                              {time}  2045

  She was our friend, a delightful, wonderful person, always with a 
smile. She never got cheated in this life, because she lived every 
moment of it.
  I thank my colleague for yielding me time. I know there are so many 
other of my colleagues here to pay tribute. I could go on and on and 
on, but I won't. I thank you for doing this. My condolences to Barbara 
and Mervyn and the entire Stephanie Tubbs Jones family.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Thank you very much.
  Sister Sister, that is who she was to me. And to Mervyn too, and 
Barbara and the rest of the family, it has been said, this night is for 
you. She lives in this Chamber, and she always will.
  I yield new now to a former U.S. Ambassador to Micronesia, the 
Congresswoman from California, Congresswoman Diane Watson.
  Ms. WATSON. Thank you so much, Madam Chairman, and thank you, Mr. 
Speaker. I had some prepared remarks, but I think the intimate stories 
really speak to who she was and how we felt about who she was.
  After the untimely passing of our colleague Juanita Millender-
McDonald, Stephanie called and she says, ``Hey girl, I am coming out 
there to spend some time. I just want to be in Juanita's space.''
  So she came out, and I picked her up. And representing Hollywood, I 
took her with me that weekend, and she met Ben Vereen and she met other 
celebrities, and she was so thrilled. She said to me, ``I'm coming out 
again, girl. I'm coming out again.''
  After we had our AKA Boule several weeks ago here and we had our pink 
and green, she came in the last I saw her in her red. And she came 
strutting down this aisle, and she said, ``See, I got my red on. We are 
getting ready to have our Boule too.'' I said, ``Well, your red is just 
a deeper pink.'' We laughed. And that was the last time I saw her.
  Stephanie was that kind of person, who, as everyone has described her 
as being, she lived life to the fullest. She was a fighter with a 
tremendous presence. She stood up for tens of thousands who could not 
stand up for themselves, and she fought for justice, equality and 
opportunity for every American. In her home State of Ohio

[[Page 18038]]

and in her beloved city of Cleveland, she led the fight for election 
reform to assure that every American's vote was counted and was valued.
  Stephanie was also loved and respected by her colleagues here on 
Capitol Hill, where in relatively short order she was appointed the 
first, among her many firsts, African American woman to the prestigious 
Ways and Means Committee. She also served as chairwoman of the 
Committee on Ethics and made great strides to work across the aisle in 
a nonpartisan manner.
  I admired her enthusiasm for public service, her integrity, her 
warmth and her keen intellect. I extend to the family my condolences, 
to her friends and to all of her colleagues. Her presence will be 
missed. But I know she is in this assemblage at this moment. Her shoes 
will be hard to fill, but, Stephanie, we feel the surge of energy as we 
speak of you this evening.
  Thank you, Madam Chairman.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. I thank the gentlewoman from California.
  I yield now to a young man from Newark, New Jersey, chairperson of 
our African Globalism Committee, the gentleman from Newark, Congressman 
Donald Payne.
  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Chairman, the Chair of our Congressional Black 
Caucus who has done such an outstanding job, it is really a great loss. 
We have this untimely loss of our wonderful friend and colleague, 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones. A void has been left in the lives of all of 
those of us who had the privilege of knowing this remarkable, vibrant 
and accomplished woman. It is a loss shared by her family, her many 
friends, her Ohio constituents, and all of those around our great 
Nation who looked to her as a champion of justice, a person who was an 
advocate for the everyday people.
  A former county prosecutor, a judge on the municipal court, she went 
to break glass ceiling after glass ceiling, with her election as the 
first African American woman to be elected to Congress from Ohio. She 
tore down barriers here in the House of Representatives when she 
successfully sought a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, and those 
walls came down. She was like at Jericho. When she blew that trumpet, 
the walls just came tumbling down. She was just so full of energy.
  In the little time that she was on the Ways and Means Committee, her 
reputation for fairness was so great that she was selected as Chair of 
the Ethics Committee. To chair the House Ethics Committee, you have to 
be the fairest person among that body. It is a tough, tough position. 
So, once again she was called to duty. It is really not an office you 
seek, it is just something that is bestowed upon you, and when you are 
asked, you have to take it.
  She was a pioneer who forged ahead, not just for herself, because she 
knew that she was opening doors for others. As Cochair of the Caribbean 
Caucus, I had the pleasure of traveling with Stephanie. We would go to 
the Caribbean, and she was a great traveling companion. She had a lot 
of interest in global issues. She was interested in understanding other 
cultures. She was interested in those people in nations less fortunate 
than ours.
  She was enthusiastic about promoting international trade. She wanted 
to have economic development to address the problems of poverty and 
hunger around the world. She wanted to bring more educational 
opportunities to regions in the Caribbean and other places that we 
traveled.
  Even though she was a diligent public servant, Stephanie always found 
time to laugh and enjoy life. A terrific sports fan, she was unrivaled 
in her enthusiasm for her hometown teams, the Cleveland Browns, the 
Cleveland Cavaliers, and she even cheered the Cleveland Indians, even 
though they had not won a World Series since 1948 and she would 
complain about that.
  She was just so proud of Mervyn II. She loved to sail. My brother is 
a sailor, and they would talk about just getting out. The only water I 
like is when I take my shower every day, and that is about it. But she 
loved to sail, and she just knew all about it, and her sister Barbara 
right there paid attention.
  I remember her proud father. He was elderly and he was so dignified. 
One time we were staying on the same floor at the CBC's hotel where we 
were, and his tie came loose. He was walking so proud, and I said, 
could I just fix it for you? I just felt good just trying to do 
something. And he was just so proud. I know how my grandfather was, the 
dignified black men who had to endure so much. But when they walked, 
they walked proud and they walked straight as an arrow, and that is how 
he was.
  She was just great. She was my pal. She was my traveling companion. 
It just hard to find words for Stephanie, full of life, full of energy. 
I didn't smoke, but I used to tell her she needed to slow down on that 
smoking. But we did have some times together. I won't get into that. We 
don't want to get into too many details.
  But she was good at everything. She did a great job with that tennis 
and golf tournament every Wednesday at the Congressional Black Caucus 
lunch. She would say, you have got to come. You have got to support it, 
scholarships for children.
  It is hard to be in Congress without Stephanie there, but we are 
going to have to remember her. She was my pal.
  With the untimely loss of our wonderful friend and colleague, 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a void has been left in the lives of all those 
who had the privilege of knowing this remarkable, vibrant, and 
accomplished woman. It is a loss shared by her family, her many 
friends, her Ohio constituents, and all those around our great nation 
who looked to her as a champion of justice and also an advocate for 
their everyday concerns.
  A former county prosecutor and judge of the Cleveland Municipal 
Court, she went on to break another glass ceiling with her election as 
the first African American woman elected to Congress from Ohio. She 
tore down a barrier here in the House of Representatives when she 
successfully sought a seat on the Ways and Means Committee, which had 
no African American woman member at the time. It was a measure of her 
reputation for fairness that she was selected to serve as Chair of the 
House Ethics Committee.
  She was a pioneer who forged ahead not just for herself, but because 
she knew that she was opening doors for others who would benefit from 
her groundbreaking steps.
  As Co-Chair of the Caribbean Caucus, I had the pleasure of traveling 
with Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and what a great traveling companion she 
was. She had a strong interest in global issues, in understanding other 
cultures, and in improving the lives of those in nations less fortunate 
than ours. She was enthusiastic about promoting international trade and 
economic development; in addressing the problems of poverty and hunger; 
and she wanted to bring more educational opportunities to regions where 
such opportunities were severely lacking.
  Even though she was a diligent public servant, Stephanie always found 
time to laugh and to enjoy life. A terrific sports fan, she was 
unrivaled in her enthusiasm for her teams, the Cleveland Browns, the 
Cleveland Cavaliers, and she even cheered on the Cleveland Indians, 
even though they had not won the World Series since 1948--a year before 
she was born.
  She was also very proud of her son, Mervyn II, and she loved spending 
time with her sister, Barbara Walker. I recall the care and attention 
she paid to her elderly father; it was touching to see the bond between 
them when they were together.
  Stephanie lived life out loud. Her dazzling smile, her passion for 
causes, and her devotion to her family made her a remarkable person to 
know.
  Her home town newspaper, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, summed it up 
well when they wrote that she was ``tough, exuberant, passionate . . . 
a woman from modest means who rose to national prominence.''
  Our thoughts and prayers remain with her family as we mourn the loss 
of Stephanie Tubbs Jones and celebrate her amazing life and legacy.
  Ms. KILPATRICK. Thank you, Congressman.
  You know, you have heard it said tonight that she was a friend and a 
leader and intelligent and you could count on her when she gave you her 
word. We all felt that. And I think as Congressman Payne said, she is 
in this Chamber, and she will be in this Chamber, and it is our 
responsibility to carry her spirit and her dedication to building a new 
America for all of God's people.
  The caucus has received many letters and congratulations, condolences 
and

[[Page 18039]]

expressions of love for Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. At this I 
would like to put some of them in the Record, from the South African 
Embassy, from the Embassy of Turkey, from the Black Women Lawyers' 
Association of Greater Chicago, and from the Embassy of Colombia. The 
list goes on and on, and we will be putting them in all week long. To 
you, Sister Sister, you live, and you always will.

                                            Embassy of Turkey,

                                  Washington, DC, August 21, 2008.
     Hon. Carolyn Kilpatrick,
     Chairwoman, Congressional Black Caucus,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Kilpatrick, I learned with profound sadness 
     and regret the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs 
     Jones, Chairwoman of the House Committee on Standards of 
     Official Conduct and a valuable member of the Congressional 
     Black Caucus.
       Chairwoman Jones took great personal interest in Turkey and 
     was dedicated to upholding the strong relations, friendship, 
     strategic partnership and alliance between our two great 
     nations. We will always feel her great loss in our hearts.
       On this note, I would like to extend our deepest 
     condolences and sympathies to the members of the 
     Congressional Black Caucus.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                      Nabi Sensoy,
     Ambassador.
                                  ____



                                        South African Embassy,

                                  Washington, DC, August 22, 2008.
     Hon. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick,
     Chairwoman, Congressional Black Caucus,
     Rayburn Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Madam Chairwoman, it was with sadness that I learned 
     of the sudden and untimely passing of Congresswoman Stephanie 
     Tubbs Jones. A spirited Representative from the great state 
     of Ohio, Ms. Tubbs Jones stood up proudly for what she 
     believed in, and her infectious zest for life, her optimism 
     and her service to others, are all the qualities that she 
     brought to the U.S. House of Representatives, and to all that 
     had the pleasure of knowing her, and she will be sorely 
     missed. On behalf of the Republic of South Africa, I hereby 
     wish to convey our sincere condolences to the family, 
     friends, constituents, colleagues and especially to you our 
     friends in the Congressional Black Caucus, and you remain in 
     our thoughts throughout this very difficult time.
           Yours sincerely,
                                                    Welile Nhlapo,
     Ambassador.
                                  ____

         Black Women Lawyer's Association of Greater Chicago, 
           Inc.,
                               Chicago, Illinois, August 21, 2008.
     Re death of the Honorable Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs 
         Jones.

     Hon. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick,
     Chairman, Congressional Black Caucus,
     Rayburn Building, Washington, DC.
       Dear Congresswoman Kilpatrick: The Black Women Lawyers' 
     Association of Greater Chicago wishes to honor the late 
     Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones for her numerous 
     accomplishments and achievements in her role as a member of 
     the Ohio Congressional Delegation, an African-American 
     lawyer, and an activist.
       As the Chairman of the esteemed Congressional Black Caucus, 
     we respectfully ask that you place the enclosed resolution 
     into the Congressional Record.
       Should you have any questions about our bar association, 
     please do not hesitate to contact me.
           Respectfully,
     Mary A. Melchor,
       President, Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater 
     Chicago.
       Enclosure.

   A Resolution For U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11)

       ``For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, 
     and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the 
     good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 
     Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, 
     which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that 
     day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for 
     his appearing.'' II Timothy 4:6-8
       In commemoration of the Life of U.S. Congresswoman 
     Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11) from the members of the Black 
     Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.:
       Whereas, it is with deepest regret that we are compelled to 
     mourn the passing of U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones 
     on August 20, 2008, the first African-American woman elected 
     to the United States House of Representatives from Ohio; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones was a lifelong resident of the 
     11th District of Ohio, which encompasses most of the East 
     Side of Cleveland and parts of the West Side of Cleveland and 
     includes parts of 22 suburbs; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones was in her fifth term in 
     office and a strong advocate for many issues, including 
     championing wealth building and economic development, access 
     and delivery of health care, and quality education for all; 
     and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones chaired the Committee on 
     Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics), served on the 
     powerful Ways and Means Committee, and was an active member 
     of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the 
     Congressional Black Caucus; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones introduced several pieces of 
     legislation including, the Uterine Fibroids Research and 
     Education Act to increase funding for research on uterine 
     fibroids and provide enhanced public education about this 
     condition; the Predatory Mortgage Lending Practices Reduction 
     Act, which would require certification of mortgage brokers 
     and enhance penalties for predatory loans, and the Campus 
     Fire Prevention Act, which would provide money to equip 
     college dorms, fraternities, and sorority houses with fire 
     suppression devices; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones introduced the ``Count Every 
     Vote'' Act of 2005, which seeks to provide an all-
     encompassing solution to a broad range of voting 
     irregularities that occurred during the 2004 presidential 
     election, and was an original co-sponsor of multiple 
     significant pieces of legislation, including healthcare for 
     low and middle-income families and community re-entry for 
     exfelons; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones made a number of historic 
     achievements in her distinguished career as a public servant, 
     including serving as the first African-American and the first 
     female Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutor, the first African-
     American woman to sit on the Common Pleas bench in the State 
     of Ohio, and a Municipal Court Judge in the City of 
     Cleveland; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones received numerous honors 
     throughout her lifetime, including the National Bible 
     Association Capitol Hill Distinguished Leadership Award, the 
     Human Rights Campaign of Cleveland Equality Award, the 
     Backbone Campaign's Backbone Award, and the Carib News Multi-
     National Business Conference Marcus Garvey Award; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones was a graduate of Cleveland 
     Public Schools; received her undergraduate degree in Social 
     Work from Case Western Reserve University in 1971; received 
     her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University 
     School of Law in 1974; and received honorary doctorates from 
     David N. Myers University, Notre Dame College and Central 
     State University; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones was an active member of Delta 
     Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and served on its national 
     Social Action Committee; and was a lifelong member and member 
     of the Board Trustees of Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, 
     Ohio; and
       Whereas, Congresswoman Jones was married to Mervyn L. 
     Jones, Sr., deceased (2003), for 27 years and is the proud 
     mother of Mervyn Leroy Jones, II.
       Be it therefore resolved, that we, the members of the Black 
     Women Lawyers' Association of Greater Chicago, Inc., pause on 
     this day with abiding sympathy to support the family of 
     Congresswoman Jones;
       Be it further resolved, that we offer our admiration, 
     respect, and support of the legacy of Congresswoman Jones and 
     give recognition for the many ``firsts'' that she achieved as 
     an African-American woman, lawyer, and legislator and an 
     outspoken champion of justice for her Congressional District, 
     the State of Ohio, and the nation;
       Be it finally resolved that a copy of this resolution shall 
     be given to the family of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs 
     Jones; and a copy shall be presented to the Speaker of the 
     U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and the U.S. 
     Congressional Black Caucus at the Democratic National 
     Convention which will take place in Denver, Colorado from 
     August 25, 2008 through August 28, 2008; and a copy shall 
     also be placed in the archives of the Black Women Lawyers' 
     Association of Greater Chicago, Inc.
       Respectfully submitted, this 21st day of August, 2008 by 
     the membership of Black Women Lawyers' Association of Greater 
     Chicago, Inc., by Mary A. Melchor, President.
                                  ____



                                          Embassy of Colombia,

                                  Washington, DC, August 21, 2008.
     Hon. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick,
     Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairwoman Kilpatrick, I would like to extend my most 
     heart-felt condolences for the passing of Congresswoman 
     Stephanie Tubbs Jones to you and the members of the CBC.
       During my time in Washington, I had several opportunities 
     to meet with Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, and was fortunate to 
     have had the chance to be with her during her visit to 
     Colombia. Her high spirit, sharp mind and positive outlook 
     left a lasting impression, and she will be missed.
       Her son, Mervyn Jones, her family, her staff and her 
     colleagues remain in our prayers.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Carolina Barco,
                                                       Ambassador.

  Ms. KILPATRICK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield the balance of my

[[Page 18040]]

time to a young man who has taken this House by storm. He chairs our 
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, one of Congresswoman Tubbs 
Jones' sons, also a member of the Ways and Means Committee. I yield the 
balance of my time to Congressman Kendrick Meek.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Florida will control the 
remainder of the time.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so very much, Madam Chairman.
  I would like to thank my leader and colleague from the great city of 
Detroit, Ms. Kilpatrick, for yielding the balance of the time. We will 
continue to go down the list I have been given here, Mr. Speaker, as we 
continue to honor our fallen colleague.
  Next on this list I have Congressman Danny Davis from the great State 
of Illinois, a very good friend of the Congresswoman, Stephanie Tubbs 
Jones.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my 
colleagues as we come this evening to pay tribute to our colleague, 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I am pleased to follow so many of my 
distinguished colleagues, because they have said so much until there 
isn't much to say. But the interesting thing is that with Stephanie 
Tubbs Jones, you never run out of things to say, because she was so 
much and meant so much to so many.
  It is interesting that when you knew Stephanie, you knew her whole 
family. You just didn't know her, you knew her sister; you knew her 
father; you knew her mother; you knew Mervyn; you knew her husband, 
Mervyn the first; you knew Mervyn the second; you knew nieces and 
nephews; you knew friends; and you almost got to know the whole of 
Cleveland if you knew Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  Stephanie, as many people have already indicated, had a great legal 
mind. Prior to coming to Congress, she served as both a prosecutor and 
a judge. And the interesting thing about prosecution is that you are 
generally trying to make sure that the law is upheld, and that once 
people commit infractions, that they pay a price. Of course, that is 
what prosecutors often do.
  Well, Stephanie had another interest in the law, and she wanted to 
make sure that the law also had a sense of justice. And even though she 
was a prosecutor, brother Kendrick, even though she was a prosecutor, 
she was a champion for those who had committed crimes, who had been 
convicted of crimes, and was one of the staunchest supporters of 
something called the Second Chance Act.

                              {time}  2100

  That is a bill which simply says that once individuals have fallen, 
that they also need to be lifted up; that once they have had problems, 
they need to be reclaimed; and, once they had committed crimes for 
which they may have been punished, they also needed to be redeemed. And 
so it was very pleasant for me to work with Stephanie on the Second 
Chance legislation.
  She befriended people from all walks of life. It didn't matter if 
they were Democrats or Republicans, or they had been prosecuted.
  As a matter of fact, when I think of her, I often think of the poet 
Homer, who talked about the kind of house that he wanted to live in, 
and I think Stephanie was an embodiment of that kind of house. And when 
he said,
  ``Let me live in my house by the side of the road, where the race of 
men go by. Men who are good, men who are bad, wise, foolish. But then, 
so am I. So why would I sit in the scorner's seat or hurl the cynic's 
ban? But let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a 
friend to man.''
  Stephanie was indeed a friend to mankind, to humankind.
  I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. I thank you so much, Congressman Davis. And she 
was very proud of the fact that she was able to work with you on the 
Second Chance Act, and was there when the bill was signed.
  I want to call on my very good friend and Stephanie's good friend, I 
call her my Brooklyn Congresswoman, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke from 
the great State of New York.
  Ms. CLARKE. To my colleague and very good friend, Kendrick Meek, I 
want to thank you for picking up the mantle. I know that Stephanie is 
watching us and is a part of all that is taking place.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the distinguished woman from Ohio, 
and I still can't believe that she has transitioned. I have taken the 
Congresswoman's passing somewhat personally. You have heard many of the 
Members speak about their relationship with her and the pet names or 
nicknames that she had for them. Well, mine was Baby Girl.
  My sister, friend, mentor, Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, to 
the Representative of the 11th Congressional District of Ohio, 
Cleveland, Ohio, from the 11th Congressional District of New York, 
Brooklyn, New York, I love you.
  Stephanie Tubbs Jones was the consummate public servant. As a new 
Member-elect to the 110th session of Congress, one of the very first 
persons to embrace me on the Hill was Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She opened 
her office, her office staff to helping me to adjust to Washington, to 
select my staff, and to share with me what her transition had been as 
she reflected back on becoming a member here in Congress 10 years 
previously.
  I had the privilege to have been mentored by her, and the one thing I 
can say is that she was one determined diva. We danced together, we 
shopped together, we drove together. Three things that I know that she 
loved to do, dance, shop, and drive. As a matter of fact, she shared 
with me the fact that if I loved to drive, then I have got to put my 
staff under reins and get me a car and do my thing, because that is 
what she had to do.
  She worked hard, she played hard, she loved hard. She was proud to 
represent the people of Cleveland, and she loved her family. She simply 
adored her son and wanted the very best for him in this life, Mervyn, 
Jr. She was an inspiration in my life. She loved her country, and she 
fought for our people every day with an abiding commitment to their 
struggles.
  When Stephanie entered any venue, the chemistry changed, and the 
atmosphere immediately acknowledged her presence. Her history, a 
trailblazer, a fighter for women's rights, women's health, civil 
rights, civil liberties, Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was always 
on the move for justice and equality. And I learned so much from this 
woman, and I just feel privileged to have had her as my mentor.
  She dedicated much of her life in service to others. She has 
bequeathed to us a legacy and an imperative for me to do the same. To 
Mervyn, Jr., to Barbara, to the Tubbs Jones family, to her constituents 
in Ohio, to her staff in Ohio, to her staff here in Washington, may the 
love of God be a comfort to you in this time of our bereavement.
  Bon voyage, my sweet sister. See you in that great getting-up 
morning. Fare thee well.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so very much, Congresswoman. And I 
know that Ms. Tubbs Jones meant so much to you.
  I would like to call on another good friend and new friend, but a 
colleague of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Ms. Donna Edwards 
from the Fourth District of Maryland, who posted her condolences 
statement on the 21st of this month, Mr. Speaker, the passing of Ms. 
Tubbs Jones.
  Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland. Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Chairman, I am really 
grateful to be here this evening to speak of my new colleague, 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  When I was first elected to Congress just a few weeks ago, one of the 
first calls that I received was from Stephanie Tubbs Jones. And when I 
came here to this floor to be sworn in to the United States Congress as 
the first African-American woman to represent our great State of 
Maryland, it was Stephanie Tubbs Jones who greeted me and said, 
``Hello, girlfriend. I am a first, too.'' And I won't forget that. And 
she knew, not asking me about my office or how I was planning to settle 
in, but she said to me, ``You have a man-child.'' And I have said, 
``Yes, I

[[Page 18041]]

do.'' And to me, that was a mark not just of a colleague and of a 
politician, but it was a mark of a woman. And I understood from her as 
a mother what it meant to be a mother to a man-child.
  The next question she asked me was whether I planned to play 
basketball, because she knew that I had coached my son in basketball. I 
am not really quite sure how she knew that, but she did. And so she 
immediately said to me that not only did I have to play basketball, but 
I also had to learn how to golf. And so I am going to take that as her 
marching orders as I serve in the United States Congress, and try to 
serve in her memory, not just as a great woman, as a great politician, 
and as a great sportswoman.
  And I had the privilege of admiring Stephanie Tubbs Jones not in the 
United States Congress but outside and from afar, and the great 
privilege just prior to coming to serve in this body of speaking at an 
event with her in the spring. And she lit up the room. And very 
recently someone in my congressional district asked me, ``Did you know 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones?'' And however one knows a person, what I could 
say is one of my favorite words in the English language is ebullient. 
And Stephanie Tubbs Jones was ebullient.
  Thank you.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so very much for that very kind and 
moving dedication to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones.
  One of my good friends from California, Laura Richardson, who has 
taken this Congress by storm and has worked very well in the 37th 
Congressional District of California, Mr. Speaker, it is very unique 
having women that have come to Congress because, as you know, the 
Congressional Black Caucus has been hit hard this particular Congress 
with losing three women of our caucus in this 110th Congress alone. And 
all of them played a very substantial role.
  This next speaker is, I wouldn't call a replacement, but an addition 
to that greatness as we continue to march on to allow good 
representation from all over the country here, Congresswoman Laura 
Richardson.
  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Meek, thank you for yielding at this 
time.
  It is interesting, from Florida, you brought up that we as members of 
the Congressional Black Caucus have lost three great women in this 
session. And as I came in as a new Member really learning from 
Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald who I had worked for, when I 
came into this body, I came into a family. And that was something that 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones taught us; that coming to Congress 
wasn't about a group, it wasn't just about legislation, it was about 
people who were committed to working together to make our communities 
better. That is why we came here.
  And I'll never forget when I stood in this very spot to share my 
comments of what it was that I hoped to do on behalf of my community, 
and I knew that Ms. Tubbs Jones was really hurting because she missed 
her colleague, Ms. Juanita Millender-McDonald. But in that same hand, 
she knew enough to know that, as I stood there, she was willing to 
embrace me. She was willing to help me. And she wanted to make sure 
that I had everything that Ms. McDonald had and then some. So I will 
never forget as I spoke and I turned, and, yes, she was one of those 
first big smiles that I saw, and she said, ``Hey, girl. How are you?'' 
As she would always tell us.
  And Ms. Tubbs Jones, what I wanted to share with her family and with 
all of us today is just a couple things. One, what I know of 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is that she was always ready. And I 
think that is a good lesson, not only for us as colleagues, but as 
young people coming forward, being ready to seize the opportunity, 
being ready to speak up and to stand up, and not to hesitate at all.
  Another thing that always stood out for me with her was just her 
knowledge. You heard a lot of people tonight talk about the fact of her 
law background and all of that. But it was so much that was in her 
head, so much of what she wanted to take of what she had learned to 
really change America as we see it today.
  And that brings me to my third point about sports, and people have 
talked about that. Yes, I think we are going to have a big basketball 
team next year, and I am sure we will work hard to win in her honor. 
But I want to talk about two other sports that were so special to her.
  One, taking her son to the Super Bowl. That was something that she 
valued and she treasured. And I would challenge all of us CBC members 
that we need to make sure that he goes next year and the years forward 
with us and our families.
  Number two, her love for golf. We had in honor of her husband, who 
had also served our caucus so well, we had named the spouse's program 
after him, and I am sure next year we are going to have to add her name 
to it.
  But also, I want to talk about another sport, and that is just being 
in the gym. You know, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, they were gym 
partners, and I just happened to be the beneficiary of being the third 
person there. And when you hear people talk about the fervor and how 
vigorously she approached everything, it wasn't just here at work. It 
was her on the treadmill, it was her on the Stepmaster. It was her 
getting ready to come in here and do work. She was always about working 
hard and really benefiting in any way that she could to help somebody 
else.
  And the last two things I want to talk about is, one, her commitment 
to youth. If you would come on this floor, it was not uncommon that 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones would pull you aside and say, 
``Girl, I've got somebody I want to you to meet.'' And if it wasn't a 
page from her local area, if it wasn't a young intern who she was in 
the process of hiring, her commitment to young people was second to 
none. And I have got to tell you, as being a relatively young Member of 
Congress, it is critical that we take on that mantle. It was something 
that she knew and she understood more than most, and that was, the 
development that we do for our future young people is really showing 
wisdom for the future.
  And, lastly, I want to say our travels that we had on behalf of 
Senator Clinton. I had an opportunity to go; Congresswoman Stephanie 
Tubbs Jones was her cochair for her national campaign, and we had an 
opportunity to travel to South Carolina, to Ohio, to Nevada. I didn't 
go to Puerto Rico as some did, but she went all over the place. But in 
honor of the sisterhood of the traveling pantsuits, I want to say that 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, when I had an opportunity to go to 
Ohio, because she was also working in so many other States, her folks 
loved her.

                              {time}  2115

  Her folks still love her. And it was out of that respect that they 
had for her that anyone who came as her guest, they were so well-
treated. And my time that I had a chance to spend in Ohio, and to all 
the young elected officials that she mentored and she helped, being a 
part of those 8-12 months that we had an opportunity to work, there was 
no one who ever wearied in her drive. There was no one who ever 
hesitated. There was no one who worked harder to make sure that 
Americans really understood the value of what we have in our elected 
officials.
  And so, as I close, I just want to say, my time that I had with 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was to know her love, was to know 
how sincere she was, and lastly, she was unwavering when she committed 
herself to you.
  We love you and we love the family. Thank you very much.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so very much, Congresswoman.
  Mr. Speaker, I am just going to yield time for my good friend and a 
good friend of my mother's, Congresswoman Carrie Meek, Marcy Kaptur, 
who is the Dean of women here in the House, longest serving woman on 
the Appropriations Committee, and also Dean of the Ohio delegation that 
held an hour

[[Page 18042]]

prior to this one as we dedicated a resolution and condolences of the 
House to Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  And as she sat here listening to the stories and testimonials of 
members of the Congressional Black Caucus of how we remember Stephanie 
Tubbs Jones, I turned around and I said, Marcy, do you have anything 
else that you would like to share with the House? And she said, I want 
to talk about the red dress. So I want to hear this too. I yield to Ms. 
Kaptur.
  Ms. KAPTUR. I thank the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Meek). And your 
mother certainly had a man child too. And we love Carrie Meek, 
Congresswoman Meek. I miss her very much, and she must be very, very 
proud of you. I am certain of that.
  We have shared so many memories this evening, and there are very 
serious ones that I will end with. But I have to say that I can still 
see Stephanie sitting in the Speaker's chair in the reddest of red 
suits, and she just beamed. And she loved that chair, and she loved 
that gavel, and she used it. You could hear it ring against the walls 
when she would hit that gavel down.
  And I did not know that she was not the only member of a sisterhood 
that wore those red dresses. It wasn't until her service in Cleveland 
that I saw an entire street from side to side covered with women in red 
dresses. Stephanie had many acquaintances and many friends. And I know 
that those red outfits gave her strength, and it certainly brightened 
this Chamber.
  I remember her scarves with the fringes. I don't know where Stephanie 
got all those, but they certainly added a flourish here, and they 
helped to cheer us up and to add to the full smile, ear to ear, that 
greeted every person that she ever met.
  Now, some of us knew about her cheers. There were many cheers, sports 
cheers, political cheers, Democratic cheers. She had a chant and a 
rhyme and a rhythm about her, and she had a presence, and she took 
those cheers forward. I know one of those cheers, one of the more 
recent ones with a rhyme was H-I-L-L-A-R-Y. I know that that was one of 
the latest cheers.
  She had a great devotion to youth, to the younger women who are 
serving in this Chamber, three of whom we just heard from, 
Congresswoman Richardson, Congresswoman Edwards, and Congresswoman 
Clarke. And it almost seems somewhat providential that as we lost three 
women from the Congressional Black Caucus, we have three younger women 
on the floor tonight. That says something right there. And I have no 
doubt Stephanie is watching over making sure that the numbers even get 
better.
  I think that her path breaking efforts in so many ways put her in the 
footsteps of Sojourner Truth; particularly, I am woman, I can do 
anything. I am woman, I can do anything. I know Stephanie believed that 
to her very core. Her zest for life and her indomitable spirit surround 
us, surround her son, surround her sister, surround all of her friends, 
her church friends in Ohio, all of those who came to know her, 
appreciate her.
  And I know that Congressman Louis Stokes, her predecessor, feels this 
loss particularly deeply. And I recall with great affection his service 
here. And as the years go on, it is amazing the events that we witness 
and that we endure.
  And in Stephanie's memory, I want to thank Congressman Meek for 
holding this special hour on behalf of the Congressional Black Caucus 
and allowing me to add a few words to the eloquence that has been 
spoken this evening in memory of our beloved friend. And I yield back 
the time you have kindly given me.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so very much. And Marcy, I just want 
to thank you for being a good friend of Stephanie's, and continuing to 
carry the flag here in the House.
  I would like to bring on another Member, a great Member of Congress, 
and she is a good, good sister of Stephanie's, was a good friend and 
traveled to Cleveland in between Stephanie's departure and her 
homegoing service to be with Stephanie's family. And we know her as 
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee. And she was another fighter here in 
Congress that sleeps with her fists balled up. And Stephanie and her 
were sisters as it relates to that. So my good friend from the great 
State of Texas, Sheila Jackson-Lee.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I feel like family has gathered here on the 
floor, and I thank my good and distinguished friend. We are like 
family. And his mother, and as he has come here, and the extended 
family relationship.
  And so, even as I spoke on the bereavement resolution, I wanted to 
come and be part of the Congressional Black Caucus special order 
because I could feel the warmth and spirit just continue to flow 
through. And I hope the Congressional Record doesn't mind us talking 
about spirit flowing through.
  I want to acknowledge her staff that is staying here till the end 
that are in the gallery there, and they are like family as well. And we 
know that Stephanie would say she loved her staff, both in Washington 
and in Cleveland.
  Certainly, I think the most poignant moment of the going home service 
was my friend and brother, the Honorable Kendrick Meek, and Congressman 
Ryan, having stood together, stoically, strongly, and specially to talk 
about Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and, as well, as they did so, 
you could feel in that huge, huge Cleveland Convention Center, everyone 
just pouring love toward them. And I think it drew Mervyn, her son, out 
of his seat to go up on the stage and to see the most powerful embrace 
that one could ever see. It will be lasting. I think it will go down in 
the annals of her record, when you pull her up and you look at this 
celebration, this homegoing service, you will note that there was this 
kind of experience, this moving experience. And I want to thank my 
distinguished Member of Congress from Florida, Congressman Meek, for 
just pouring his heart out during that service. I think all of us just 
paused for a moment to see the largeness and the bigness of our 
relationship with Stephanie.
  So I wanted to come because I didn't get a chance to just mention 
more extensively, someone who allowed you to know most of her family 
members during her time here in Congress. And the goodness is, I think 
we should celebrate that her family members lived, her mom and dad 
lived to see her become a Member of Congress. Her husband, of which, 
someone mentioned they had celebrated 25 years together or more, lived 
to see her in the United States Congress and enjoyed being part of her 
commitment to the Congressional Black Caucus, with the Congressional 
Black Caucus Foundation. They were a couple. They were a pair.
  In fact, I am envious and dream of the fact that I used to hear the 
stories about the yachting that they did together as a couple, and 
always said one day I would have the time to go. But just to think 
about how she used her life experiences of joy and large living to 
touch everyone's life.
  When we talked about airlines, when we talked about the troubles 
airlines were having, I remember her talking after 9/11. She would 
always get in there that her dad was a skycap. When they were talking 
about salaries or talking about working conditions at the airlines, she 
had an affinity because she would get in there that her dad was a 
skycap, and she was proud of that.
  And I want everybody to know, since we live in this kind of multi-
cultural society, that being a skycap was a big, big deal for an 
African American and an African American man. It was a middle class, it 
was a working job that had benefits, but it was an important 
responsibility. I know that because my uncle was a skycap. So that was 
an important, if you will, connection for her dad who supported this 
family.
  And of course, her mom and her sisters, and the sister who I had a 
chance, as Congressman Meek mentioned, I had a chance to visit Barbara 
and Mervyn when I went to visit them at home.
  There were friends, and I know that I will get in trouble, but I know 
that the Mayor of Warrensville I believe is the name, Mayor Fudge, a 
dear friend and a part of the Delta family. But I know the guy that she 
calls Joe Hewitt;

[[Page 18043]]

never a single name, just calling him Joe Hewitt, larger than life, 
someone that she cared about; he cared about her. We had a chance to 
fellowship with their family.
  So I wanted to just come and say that, as we talk about sisterhood, 
it is really real. And as we talk about traveling with her, it is 
really real. As we talk about being larger than life, it is really real 
as well.
  And I want to close simply by just adding to what my good friend, 
Marcy Kaptur from Cleveland said, as I looked at the three 
Congresspersons, one from Maryland, California and New York, three 
beautiful young women. And we lost Congresswoman Julia Carson, Juanita 
Millender-McDonald, and now Stephanie Tubbs Jones, all mentors. And 
look at the legacy that they have left.
  Look at the legacy of Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who I call a great 
patriot, a great American, because she could fight you for her love for 
America. She would not take a back seat. Whether or not she was talking 
about predatory lending or whether she was talking about health care 
that did not occur in her community around the Nation, or those 
incarcerated persons who were treated unfairly and didn't get a second 
chance, she still loved America.
  So I want to leave us with the words of Sojourner Truth. And it was 
when she was sitting in the back of the room, and it was during the 
abolitionist movement, suffragette movement. And it was crowded, and 
she saw they saw her hand raise up, and the person called on sir, or 
indicated that she was a man. And Sojourner Truth stood up and said, 
ain't I a woman? I born 13 children into slavery. Ain't I a woman?
  To Stephanie Tubbs Jones, there will be no doubt that she was a 
woman's woman and a leader's leader.
  And finally, in closing, if I can read from Philippians Chapter 4, 
verse 8: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are 
pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good 
report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these 
things.''
  Let us think on the life of Stephanie Tubbs Jones, and let us, in all 
of our imperfections, and we have them, embellish those things in 
ourselves. And as the Congressional Black Caucus, let us live on, and 
the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, of which my distinguished 
colleague is the Chair, let her spirit live on as we do her work and do 
the work of the Lord.
  I rise today with a conflict of emotions to recognize Congresswoman 
Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I stand with a heavy heart enriched and 
gladdened that I had the opportunity of knowing and working with such a 
beacon of light here in Congress.
  Before heading to the funeral I was reminded of the words of, Mother 
Teresa, ``There is a light in this world, a healing spirit--more 
powerful than any darkness we may encounter. We sometimes lose sight of 
this force, when there is suffering, and too much pain. Then suddenly, 
the spirit will emerge through the lives of ordinary people who hear a 
call and answer in extraordinary ways.''
  That is why although I rise with a heavy heart at the loss of a 
colleague and friend, I stand with a realization and gratefulness for 
all that Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was able to do for her 
family, for her constituents, and for her country in her brief time 
here on this earth. I also believe that Congresswoman Tubbs Jones is in 
a better place and is looking down on us with that contagious smile and 
generous nature that made us all love working with her.
  As Women's Caucus and Congressional Black Caucus members, the 
Congresswoman and I spent a lot of time working together and talking 
about our lives, our unique work, and the issues facing our nation.


                                History

  I had the opportunity to get to know this great woman and learn that 
she was born in Cleveland, Ohio, where she graduated from the city's 
public schools, later earning degrees from Case Western Reserve 
University, the Flora Stone Mather College, and Case Western Reserve 
University School of Law.
  I knew that she was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta; and even 
more proud to have been married to the love of her life, Mervyn L. 
Jones, Sr., for over 27 years until his passing in 2003. Together she 
and Mervyn had one son; Mervyn Leroy Jones, Jr., who was the light of 
her life.
  Like me, Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a lawyer who had been a local 
judge. She served on the Cleveland Municipal Court in 1981, and later 
on the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County before becoming the 
Representative for the 11th District of Ohio.
  She was selected to be the Chairwoman of the House Ethics Committee 
to watch over the standards of ethical conduct for members of the 
House. She also served on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee 
where she fought for economic development and financial opportunities 
for all. She was loved by her district, and was routinely reelected 
against nominal opposition.
  Stephanie Tubbs Jones spent 58 years on this earth and she was a 
blessing and her memory will always be a treasure. She was loved beyond 
words, and will be missed beyond measure by all that knew her.
  Over the last few months, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones and I travelled 
across the country together. She was always focused on doing the 
``right thing''. She understood that in this unique work of ours we 
serve the people, but we must also answer to our conscience. Doing the 
``right thing'' in this job is not always an easy task--but she did it 
day in and day out as she worked to help the people of Ohio, Americans 
across this great Nation, and our men and women overseas.
  She was an outstanding example of what it means to be leader. She 
epitomized service before self. Indeed, as a society, we must do all we 
can do to build upon the strength of service to help strengthen the 
fabric of the Nation. I offer the Tubbs-Jones family encouragement in 
their time of bereavement by saying, ``Blessed are those who mourn, for 
they will be comforted.'' Her work on Earth is complete. We join the 
Lord in saying, well done, thou good and faithful servant. She was a 
fighter for issues that affect the least among us and in all the years 
she was in Congress--she never forgot that. Now let us not forget her.


                               conclusion

  The Bible states in Philippians chapter 4 verse 8: ``Finally, 
brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, 
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever 
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be 
any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.''
  Let us remember Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, a public 
servant, a colleague--a friend.

                [From the New York Times, Aug. 21, 2008]

              Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Lawmaker, Dies at 58

                           (By Dennis Hevesi)

       Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first African-American woman 
     elected to the House of Representatives from Ohio and a 
     leader in the fight against predatory lending practices, died 
     Wednesday. She was 58.
       The cause was a ruptured brain aneurysm that Ms. Tubbs 
     Jones suffered Tuesday, Eileen Sheil, a spokeswoman for the 
     Cleveland Clinic, which owns the Huron Hospital in East 
     Cleveland where the congresswoman died, told The Associated 
     Press.
       Ms. Tubbs Jones, a Democrat, was in her fifth term as 
     representative of the 11th Congressional District, which 
     includes most of the east side of Cleveland. Two years ago, 
     she was re-elected with 83 percent of the vote. Before her 
     first election to Congress, in 1998, she had been the chief 
     prosecutor for Cuyahoga County in Ohio.
       Considered a liberal, Ms. Tubbs Jones was a co-sponsor of 
     legislative efforts to broaden health care coverage for low- 
     and middle-income people and of programs supporting the re-
     entry of convicts into their communities. She was also the 
     author of legislation requiring certification for mortgage 
     brokers and stiffer penalties for predatory loans.
       In June, Ms. Tubbs Jones voted against emergency 
     supplemental financing for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
       ``I feel it important that we have a plan for a timely 
     redeployment of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan before 
     we continue funding what has become a seemingly endless 
     war,'' she said at the time.
       When Congress officially ratified President Bush's re-
     election in January 2005, Ms. Tubbs Jones joined Senator 
     Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California, in initiating a rare 
     challenge to what has historically been a polite formal 
     ceremony. They were objecting to accepting Ohio's 20 
     electoral votes for Mr. Bush, citing voting irregularities in 
     the state.
       Instead of holding a courteous joint session to certify the 
     election, lawmakers were forced to retreat to their separate 
     chambers for two hours of debate. In the end, the House voted 
     267 to 31 against the challenge; in the Senate, the vote was 
     74 to 1.
       Stephanie Tubbs was born in Cleveland on Sept. 10, 1949. 
     She graduated from Case Western Reserve University in 1971 
     and received her law degree there three years later.

[[Page 18044]]

       From 1976 to 1979, she was an assistant Cuyahoga County 
     prosecutor. In 1981, she won election as a Cleveland 
     Municipal Court judge, and 10 years later she was appointed 
     chief prosecutor.
       As chief prosecutor, Ms. Tubbs Jones was at the center of a 
     controversy in 1998 when she refused to reopen an 
     investigation into the 1954 murder of the wife of Dr. Sam 
     Sheppard, dismissing new DNA evidence that Dr. Sheppard's 
     supporters said would have exonerated him.
       The case had received nationwide coverage in the 1950s. Dr. 
     Sheppard spent 10 years in prison before the Supreme Court 
     ruled that his trial had been prejudiced by publicity. He was 
     acquitted at a second trial, in 1966, and died in 1970. With 
     the new evidence, Dr. Sheppard's son was seeking to collect 
     damages on behalf of his father. Ms. Tubbs Jones argued that 
     the new DNA results would be inadmissible because the samples 
     were too old.
       Ms. Tubbs Jones's husband of 27 years, Mervyn L. Jones Sr., 
     died in 2003. She is survived by her son, Mervyn II.

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Thank you so very much, Congresswoman. And it is 
a very kind tribute and kind words given to our colleague.
  Mr. Speaker, I just want to take the remainder of our time just to 
speak a few minutes on reflection of my friend and colleague, 
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I can say that there has been 
several days of reflection and testimony to her life and her presence 
here in this Chamber.
  I can also share with the House, Mr. Speaker, that this tribute will 
continue on Wednesday. The Speaker has called a memorial service of the 
House and of the Congress in Statuary Hall at 11 a.m., so those Members 
of the House or staff and friends can come and reflect and hear further 
stories of Stephanie and her contributions to this great country.

                              {time}  2130

  The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation will host a reception for 
all in the Rayburn room afterwards, which we will post pictures of 
Stephanie and the contributions that she's not only made to this 
country but also to young people who are walking the Halls of Congress. 
She spearheaded efforts within the Congressional Black Caucus 
Foundation to provide internships and fellowships for so many students 
who ordinarily wouldn't have the opportunity to do it working along 
with our Congressional Black Caucus spouses.
  I came to the Chamber today with mixed feelings. It was a special 
kind of warmness that hit me when I walked into the Chamber because so 
many times we would have the chance to talk and laugh and talk about 
things that took place either over the weekend or over the break. And 
``Stephanie Hall,'' like leader Boehner talked about a little earlier 
today, her office is right down the hall from my office, and we served 
on the Ways and Means Committee together. So it's almost like not only 
Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, but her staff and my staff, it was almost 
like having a good neighbor, someone you can go get a cup of sugar 
from. Someone you can go sit down and hold common goals with.
  And we all know--and you heard a lot of folks saying you're going to 
miss her because she was one of those individuals that you assumed was 
just going to pop up at any moment. I was talking with my wife when we 
attended her home-going service in Ohio, and she said, ``It just seems 
like Stephanie's going to walk up behind us and say, `Hey, what's going 
on,' '' because that was the kind of unique person that she was.
  I think during this whole time as I continue to reflect and really 
live deep in the spirit of how good God is, here in the present to have 
served with someone like Stephanie, to have folks on both sides of the 
aisle, to have people who know what it means to punch in and punch out 
every day when they go to work, those that wake up early to catch the 
bus to go to work, those that are cleaning hotel rooms, those that are 
driving the carts at Cleveland Airport. There are so many times that 
Stephanie would talk to them and make them feel like real people. All 
of them, including what we may call the ``blue shirts'' here in the 
Capitol building, those that work here, those that clean, those 
uniforms, the police officers, everyone knew Stephanie for being the 
person that will treat them the same way they would treat a Member of 
Congress or a President or a leader of a country or what have you.
  I say all of that to say that the best conversation that I keep going 
back to, and I spoke of this at her memorial service, was a 
conversation that I had with my mother about Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
  Stephanie was a member of our family. Period. Dot. And she would 
travel to south Florida and would do things together with my mother, 
and they had a relationship prior to my arrival because they were both 
Delta sisters. And it took me, Mr. Speaker, a while, because my mother 
and I really work hard to talk every day. And I was holding off from 
calling her because I said I know if I call her, we're going to get in 
the middle of this conversation about Stephanie. And sure enough, we 
did.
  And my mother, who I consider the person in my family that's closest 
to the cross--that's not in the way of saying that she's about to pass 
on, but she's very spiritual--and a woman who has traveled a similar 
route as Stephanie has traveled in her time. We were talking, and all 
of a sudden she just rained down on the phone and said, ``Kendrick, she 
had an appointment with the Maker.'' And that has provided more comfort 
to me, and I believe to others, of saying that why would she have to 
have such an untimely death. Well, it's not up to us to say what is 
timely and what is untimely. That's something that's already planned 
from birth.
  And just looking at her trail and her track as we continue to reflect 
on her light, that God would allow her to play a national role in the 
primary election and to be judged by others and cherished by certain 
individuals and to be known nationally and internationally for her 
presence in the primary election, this Presidential election. And then 
after the primary is over, be the person, serve as the instrument to 
bring those that were the two that were running for office against one 
another together in a special way. And to be able to work on behalf of 
Senator Obama, to have that opportunity before her death to be able to 
bring them together at her homegoing service is beyond coincidental.
  So we have to really look at every day, cherish every day as though 
it's our last day to serve.
  Stephanie spent a number of days, a number of hours hugging those 
that may have had some doubt about her judgment and her actions, but 
that's the kind of person because she had this uniqueness that very few 
may have.
  So I close with this, Mr. Speaker, because I almost feel like a 
visiting Baptist preacher. If I had time, I would really be able to get 
into the deepness of Stephanie's presence, and it will always be here 
in this Chamber. I'm glad she lived life in the way she lived it 
because so many times those that pass and they move on, they say, 
``Goodness. I wish they would have had the opportunity to do this, 
this, and this,'' and I can't say that about Stephanie because she did 
it all.
  She held all of us up. She will continue to hold all of us up, and as 
long as I'm a Member in this Congress and a Member of the Ways and 
Means Committee and serving in the leadership position, she will be 
someone I will never ever forget because she called Tim Ryan and I--you 
know, we know about Mervyn--but we were her congressional sons. She 
would put it this way, ``Tim is my white son and Kendrick is my black 
congressional son.'' And Tim could not be here tonight, but I know he 
will be here in the future.
  And I want the Members to know that she loved this body. And we will 
forever, ever remember her, and we will continue to have this great 
celebration of life for the next coming days.
  Mr. Speaker, with that, I want to not only thank our chair, 
Congresswoman Kilpatrick, who serves as the Chair of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, but all Members of Congress that have come forth this 
evening to share words of comfort with the family and the country for 
such a loss of a great leader, a great hero, and someone that has been 
an icebreaker for so many people.

[[Page 18045]]

  My love and all of our love and our condolences go out to the family 
and her staff, which was her extended family, here in Congress and back 
in Cleveland, and to the hundreds of constituents that wrapped the 
streets to pay their appreciation to Stephanie.
  And may her spirit live long in the Halls of Congress.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and 
contributions of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Stephanie was a 
good friend of mine, and I am still in shock by her sudden passing. She 
brought energy and enthusiasm, brilliance and dedication to this 
Congress, and her presence is already sorely missed.
  In the weeks since her passing, I have been reflecting on her many 
contributions to her constituents, her state, and her country, not only 
most recently in the House of Representatives but also in a lifetime of 
service. She broke barriers, and in the process elevated the lives of 
those she touched, both professionally and personally. The first 
African-American woman elected to Congress from the state of Ohio, 
Stephanie has set the bar incredibly high with her dedication and 
devotion, and paved the way for future generations to follow. As an 
attorney, judge, and Member of Congress, she worked tirelessly on 
behalf of reducing poverty, ensuring access to education and affordable 
health care, and advocating for the rights of minorities nationwide. 
Stephanie and I saw eye-to-eye on many important issues, whether it was 
fighting to ensure affordable housing, or for greater protection for 
Haitian and other refugees, or for the simple notion that every vote 
should be counted. In the 110th Congress alone Stephanie introduced 
legislation to revitalize low-income communities, protect and ensure 
voting rights, curtail predatory lending, and provide greater resources 
for uterine fibroids research, a personal commitment of hers that I 
know she has carried for many years.
  Stephanie and I have similar backgrounds as lawyers, judges, and of 
course Members of Congress, and thus I have always thought that she and 
I shared a kinship that went beyond just our professional 
responsibilities. I hold her in the highest degree of respect and 
admiration. Since her untimely passing, I find myself recalling her 
personal inspiration as she and I and so many others in this body 
continue to fight for a better, more equal, and more prosperous 
society. She is the very definition of a role model.
  Mr. Speaker, Stephanie's presence will not be easily replaced, if it 
ever can. The country should value her service; and I, for one, also 
value her friendship.
  Mr. BONNER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today 
to honor the memory of former Ohio Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones 
and her lifetime of dedication to the people of Ohio and the United 
States. I was deeply saddened to learn our colleague passed away so 
suddenly. We have not only lost a wonderful friend but an individual 
who made a number of historic achievements during her lifetime.
  After graduating from law school at Case Western Reserve University, 
Stephanie began her career with Cleveland's sewer district before 
serving as an attorney with the city's Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission. In 1976, she served as an assistant Cuyahoga County 
prosecutor before her election as Cleveland Municipal Court judge in 
1981. Two years later, the governor of Ohio appointed her to a 
judgeship with the Court of Common Pleas of Cuyahoga County, and in 
1991, Stephanie was appointed Cuyahoga County prosecutor.
  Stephanie was elected to represent the 11th District of Ohio in the 
U.S. House of Representatives in 1998. Throughout her 5 terms of 
office, she strove for advances in health care, economic development, 
and education. Recently, she had become a leader in the fight against 
predatory lending practices.
  Most notably, Stephanie's legacy will be her career filled with 
firsts. She was the first African-American and the first female to 
serve as prosecutor in her native Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Stephanie was 
the first African-American to be chief prosecutor in the State of 
Ohio's history. She also became the first African-American woman to 
represent Ohio in Congress and the first to serve on the House Ways and 
Means Committee.
  At the beginning of the 110th Congress, Stephanie was named 
chairwoman of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, of 
which I am a member.
  Stephanie Tubbs Jones will be deeply missed by her family--her son, 
Mervyn Jones II and her two sisters--as well as the countless friends 
she leaves behind. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this 
difficult time.
  Mr. MEEK of Florida. I yield back the balance of my time.

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