Black PR Wire Power Profiler on U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (Posthumously)

Editor’s Note: Black PR Wire salutes the contribution and dedication of U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones who passed away in August. She made a tremendous impact in the empowerment of social and political change in our communities, throughout the nation and worldwide.

U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a lifelong resident of Ohio (the 11th District), which includes the East Side and parts of the West Side of Cleveland, as well as 22 suburbs. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was a graduate of Cleveland Public Schools. She received her undergraduate degree from Case Western Reserve University, graduating with a degree in Social Work from the Flora Mather College in 1971. She also went on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1974. Additionally, she received honorary doctorates from Myers University, Notre Dame College and Central State University.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was in the prime of her political career. At 58, she was in her fifth term in Congress. A lawyer by training, she championed the interests of the urban poor. The Congresswoman served on the powerful House Committee on Ways and Means, which has jurisdiction over taxation and entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare. She was a strong advocate for many issues including wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all.

During her first term, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones secured passage of the Child Abuse Prevention and Enforcement (CAPE) Act, her first piece of legislation. This bill uses common sense enforcement reforms to protect children from abuse and neglect without increasing federal spending or imposing unfunded mandates on states.

In the 107th Congress, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones introduced the Uterine Fibroids Research and Education Act of 2001. This act would increase funding for research on uterine fibroids and provide enhanced public education about this condition. The congresswoman also introduced 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. Moreover, the congresswoman introduced the Retiree Health Assistance Act of 2001 to fund the health care costs of retired steelworkers. She is an original co-sponsor of a number of important pieces of legislation, including election reform, healthcare for low and middle-income families, and a bill to establish a nationwide system for tracking chronic diseases.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has made a number of historic achievements in her distinguished career as a public servant. Prior to her election to the House, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones served as the first African-American and the first female Cuyahoga County, Ohio Prosecutor. She was the first African-American to sit on the Common Pleas bench in the State of Ohio and was a Municipal Court Judge in the City of Cleveland.

Black PR Wire posthumously salutes Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones for her remarkable impact in the community.