[1] Earlier today, around 2:10 p.m., miscommunication between a Congressional staffer, as well as workers at Cleveland’s City Hall, led to news reports from the [2] Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Associated Press, and CNN, among other news outlets, to prematurely report the death of U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 58, who was serving her fifth term in Congress.

This evening, at 6:12 p.m., however, the Congresswoman was pronounced dead about 24 hours after being taken to the hospital by ambulance. She would have celebrated her 59th birthday in 21 days, on September 10.

Here is the full statement, issued by the late Congresswoman Jones’ office.

It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, beloved mother to Mervyn Jones II, sister to Barbara L. Walker, dear colleague, loyal servant and friend to all. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones passed after being admitted to Huron Hospital having suffered an aneurysm while driving her car in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Tuesday evening. She was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. today.

The official cause of death was an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Her death followed a full day of activities, including planning for an upcoming forum on electoral reform and other administrative duties yesterday. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was scheduled to travel to Denver on August 24, 2008 to attend the Democratic National Convention as a superdelegate.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is the first African-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives from Ohio. Congresswoman Jones is a lifelong resident of the 11th District, which encompasses most of the East Side of Cleveland and parts of the West Side of Cleveland and includes parts of 22 suburbs.

Currently in her fifth term in office, the Congresswoman was a strong advocate for many issues, and championed wealth building and economic development, access and delivery of health care, and quality education for all. The Congresswoman was the first African-American woman to chair the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics) and the first African-American woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. She was an active member of numerous Congressional Caucuses, including the Congressional Black Caucus.

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 woman to sit on the Common Pleas bench in the State of Ohio and was a Municipal Court Judge in the City of Cleveland.

Congresswoman Tubbs Jones has received numerous honors throughout her lifetime including the National Bible Association Capitol Hill Distinguished Leadership Award, Human Rights Campaign of Cleveland Equality Award, Backbone Campaign’s Backbone Award, and the Carib News Multi-National Business Conference Marcus Garvey Award.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones is 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 Stone Mather College in 1971. She received her Juris Doctorate form Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1974. Additionally, she has received honorary doctorates from David N. Myers University, Notre Dame College, Central State University and Cleveland State University.

An active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, she served on their national Social Action Committee. She was a lifelong member of Bethany Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio and was a member of their Board of Trustees.

Her husband of 27 years Mervyn L. Jones, Sr. preceded her in death in 2003.

The Family and the 11th Congressional District Office wishes to thank friends, constituents, and colleagues for their expressions of sympathy and asks that the community allow the family privacy at this time. Thanks are also extended to the Cleveland Heights Police Department and Emergency Medical Services, Huron Road Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic, and Dr. Gus Kious, Chief of Staff at Huron Road Hospital. Information regarding funeral arrangements will be forthcoming.

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