"In Loving Memory" of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones

I received two emails today on Rep. Jones. One was from Hillary Clinton. Her's was entitled, "In Loving Memory":

Dear Amy,

Yesterday, we lost a colleague, a friend, an inspiration, and a champion for all of us. I am deeply saddened by the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. She was my friend and my sister. She made me laugh, smile and fired up my spirit when I needed it most.

She had a light that shone for the world to see within her and a fighting spirit safely stowed behind her disarming smile. Stephanie had so much integrity and a fiery intelligence that enabled her to become a one-woman force for progress in our country.

Stephanie was a tireless worker, giving a voice to the voiceless and always combating injustice. Stephanie spent much of her life fighting for all Americans and to ensure that everyone had the most precious right - the right to vote.

All of us who were lucky enough to know her and love her can only strive to be as much like her as we can -- to be as passionate, as loyal, as hard-charging, and as joyful every single day.

Stephanie was one of a kind, and we will miss our friend forever.

My family's deepest condolences are with Stephanie's son, Mervyn, her family, and her many loved ones, friends, supporters, and her beloved Ohioans. It is during this tough time that we look back and remember all the memories and blessings that Stephanie brought into our lives. If you have a thought, a story, a prayer, or condolences you would like to share, you can visit our website today so we can rejoice together in the friendship and love that we have for Stephanie. All the notes and memories we gather will be sent to her family on behalf of our extended family.

Send in your thoughts and memories about Stephanie.

Thank you,

Hillary


Another was from PFLAG:

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Mourns the Loss of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Washington, DC – Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) issued the following statement following news of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-OH):

“The entire PFLAG family mourns the loss of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, one of our nation’s true champions of equality. From employment non-discrimination to the military to equality for bi-national couples, Congresswoman Jones was an ardent advocate for the dignity of every American. She never shirked from any civil rights battle, and never failed to stand up and give voice to those who often felt voiceless. Our thoughts and prayers are with Congresswoman Jones’ family. Congress, and our country, have lost one of the biggest hearts of the heartland.”

Congresswoman Jones was a co-sponsor of fully inclusive legislation to protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans from workplace discrimination, as well as of Congressional bills to repeal the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” law, expand the federal hate crimes statute to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and to treat same-sex couples equally under American immigration laws. First elected to Congress in 1998, Tubbs Jones was the first African-American woman to represent the state of Ohio. She passed away on Wednesday after suffering brain hemorrhaging caused by an aneurysm.

PFLAG supporters are invited to leave their own thoughts about Congresswoman Jones, her legacy and her dedication to the community, on our blog. To join the conversation, click here.