Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones Honored by Coalition and Others

by Greater Cleveland Voter Coalition

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was honored Feb. 23, 2005 by hundreds of people at an event sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Voter Coalition, the National NAACP Voter Fund, the Cleveland AFL-CIO Federation of Labor and the 11th Congressional District Caucus for her outstanding courage in fighting to protect the voting rights of all Ohioans. The event took place at the Laborers’ Local 310 Hall in Cleveland.

Many speakers lauded the Congresswoman, including Gregory Moore from the NAACP National Voter Fund, John Ryan, Executive Secretary of the Cleveland AFL-CIO, Vel Scott representing the 11th Congressional District Caucus, and Marcia McCoy and Judy Gallo, representing the Greater Cleveland Voter Coalition. Meryl Johnson, First Vice President of the Cleveland Teachers Union, sang a moving rendition of “Believe in Yourself,” and brought tears to the eyes of many of the attendees and the Congresswoman herself. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was presented with numerous certificates, plaques and a photo album containing pictures of the first-ever women’s march to get out the vote among women in Cleveland.

One highlight of the event was the presentation of a “backbone” award from the Nnational Backbone Association to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones for having the “backbone” to stand up and do what was right for her constituents despite enormous pressure not to do so.

A video on the congressional hearings in Columbus and a rally to protest election irregularities in Ohio was shown. The video was made by Jeff Kirkby. Copies will be available for purchase. Check this web site for updates about when the video is available.

The Congresswoman thanked her constituents warmly and said she looks forward to continuing her work on election reform, with the help of all of us.