CLEVELAND, OH - U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today attended the unveiling of the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Plaza and statue on the campus of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Brown served alongside Tubbs Jones in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2006.
"Stephanie was that rare person who filled whatever room she entered with her personality and her passion for justice," Brown said. "Today, with the unveiling of a plaza and statue in her honor, Ohio salutes one of its most treasured daughters."
A native of Cleveland and a two-time graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Tubbs Jones represented Ohio's 11th District from 1999 until her death on August 20, 2008. Tubbs Jones entered public life in 1982 when she was elected to serve on the Court of Common Pleas, and was the first African-American woman elected to Congress from the state of Ohio.
Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was also a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta (ΔΣΘ), a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African-American community. In the House of Representatives, Tubbs Jones championed increased access to health care, improved voting rights, organ donation awareness, and quality education for all.
In 2008, Brown authored a law-based on legislation introduced by Tubbs Jones and named in her honor-that awards a Congressional medal to organ donors and their families. Brown introduced legislation during this Congress, which was also based on legislation introduced by Tubbs Jones that would improve the safety of and help prevent deadly fires in Ohio's student housing and dormitories.
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