Ohio Congresswoman Dies August 21, 2008
Posted by Reginald Johnson in African-American, Blacks, Celebrity, Domestic Issues, Government, Healthcare, Life, Medical, Minority Issues, News, U.S. Congress, Washington.add a comment
The House of Representatives and the Democratic lost what many refer to as a courageous fighter for those whom other government officials have forgotten. U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black woman to represent Ohio in Congress died Wednesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage.
Cleveland Clinic spokesperson, Eileen Sheil, said the 58-year old congresswoman died of a brain hemorrhage caused by an aneurysm that burst and left her with limited brain function. The hospital where the congresswoman died in (the Huron Hospital in East Cleveland) is owned by Cleveland Clinic.
A brain aneurysm is a bulge in an artery in the brain. It can leak or rupture, causing bleeding in the brain.
Tuesday night Congresswoman Tubbs Jones was driving her car in Cleveland Heights when she suffered the hemorrhage. The official police report states that her car then went out of control and crossed several lanes of traffic before coming to a stop. A nearby policeman found the distressed lawmaker behind the wheel.
When the congresswoman was admitted she was alive but throughout the course of the day and into this evening her medical condition declined.
Tubbs Jones first came onto the national scene by winning her first House seat in 1998. The liberal Democrat won the heavily Democratic 11th District. She chaired the ethics committee in the House. Not only was she the first black woman to represent Ohio in the House, she was also the first black woman to serve on the massively powerful Ways and Means Committee.
While as a member of the committee, she strongly was adamant in protesting and opposing President George W. Bush’s tax cuts and his efforts to create personal accounts within Social Security. Tubbs Jones was also a strong critic of the Iraq war, and in 2002 voted against using military force. She knew her vote might be unpopular to many but she felt all diplomatic options had not been exhausted.
She worked tirelessly to expand the rights of all Americans, especially those that felt like government had forgotten about them a long time ago.
Tubbs Jones was a firm supporter of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton during the primaries. It has been noted that she was felt Clinton could bring the country back to the social boom of her husband’s administration. She eventually fell into the democratic wave of Obama supporters. This was in June. She was to have been a superdelegate at next week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Obama called Tubbs Jones “an extraordinary American and an outstanding public servant.”
Interestingly enough, in March 2002, just as the war was starting, she was one of only 11 House members to oppose a resolution supporting U.S. troops in Iraq. She has often been quoted as saying, “I completely support the soldiers doing their job, but I am not in support of sending these brave American men and women into harms way.”
She said she opposed the war because the resolution connected Iraq to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and said Iraq poses a continued threat to the United States.
She affirmed that neither of those claims had been proved. She also saw this as the main reason why the United States couldn’t persuade the United Nations to support an attack.
Tubbs Jones has consistently been known as an outspoken critic of the political right and specifically President Bush’s administration.
On the House floor she has received notary of being a very passionate speaker. He had been known to have the ability to inspire crowds at political rallies.
She will be missed.
Executive Forum Headed to Atlanta August 20, 2008
Posted by Reginald Johnson in Business, Government, Life.add a comment
Early in the month, the Department of Labour reported released a report on employee productivity that announced productivity grew at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the quarter. This is determined by the amount a worker produces for every hour on the job. The ‘growth’ was down from a 2.6 percent growth rate in the first quarter.
The New York Times revealed in an August 8th story that growth in compensation — wages and benefits — also slowed as companies were less generous amid troubles in the economy and uncertainty about their own prospects.
With all of this going on, some people think it would be disingenuous for one to not attend the Executive Forum on Value-Based Benefit Design for Employers. The forum is set to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 28, 2008. Expected to attend are people who are in various facets of the emplyment world: but primarily executives, human resource professionals, and government officials.
Around the country, this Executive Forum has showcased early adopters and industry leaders to help their colleagues shift to a co-pay redesign, improving population health indicators and corporate financial sustainability.
The sponsors of the forum say, “Do not miss this opportunity to discuss best practices on implementing programs designed with a value-based approach to outcomes rather than just on cost necessary during this economic downturn and slowing of productivity.”
Also co-located with Value-Based Benefits Design in Atlanta October 28-29, 2008, is The Executive Forum on Advanced Care Management Strategies for Employer that will help employers determine appropriate course when managing different employee population segments.
If you are interested in seeing the faculty list or to register to attend the event, visit www.worldcongress.com/atlanta. You can also call: 800-767-9499.
Use code TZY528 to save $200.00* if you register by phone or online by this Friday, August 22, 2008. (*Does not include government rate). If you are interested in an email correspondence, you can email ron.cornell@worldcongress.com.
If you are interested in Sponsorship and Executive Networking Opportunities be sure to check with Beth George, Executive Vice President at b.george@worldcongress.com.