CBCF UNVEILS PORTRAIT OF REP. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

(Del. Donna M. Christensen, Rep. Barbara Lee, Barbara Tubbs Walker, Mervyn L. Jones, II)

WASHINGTON, DC –  On June 26, 2012, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) unveiled a commissioned portrait of Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones of Ohio at its headquarters located at 1720 Massachusetts Avenue, NW. Rep. Tubbs Jones, who died in 2008, was a CBCF board member and strong supporter of the Foundation. CBCF’s historic headquarters was renamed in her honor in 2009.

A well-loved and former CBC spouse, Mrs. Mary Ann Gaines Clore Wynn (wife of CBC Rep. Albert Wynn of Maryland), painted the portrait of Rep. Tubbs. Sadly, Mrs. Wynn passed away in 2011.

 “This is a heartfelt moment in the history of the Foundation,” said Elsie L. Scott, president and chief executive officer for CBCF. Rep. Tubbs Jones was a tireless advocate for the Foundation and our work in raising funds for providing educational opportunities for college students. Our scholarship classic, which ended on June 25, is named in honor of her and her deceased husband. She cared so passionately about young people and left a lasting impression on us and a model for living.

“Mrs. Wynn was a true patron of the arts and served for numerous years as the chair of our Celebration of Leadership in the Fine Arts, another fundraising venture to provide scholarships for students in the visual and performing arts,” she said. “Under Mrs. Wynn our event increased in prominence and we have awarded more than 100 scholarships to talented students. Both women have greatly contributed to future generations,” said Dr. Scott.

At the time of her death, Rep. Tubbs Jones was chairwoman of the Committee on Standard of Official Conduct, making her one of five African-Americans and the only African-American woman  to head a Congressional committee during the 110^th Congress. She was also a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

In 2008 CBCF purchased its four-story building on Embassy Row, making it one of the few African-American non-profit organizations to own their building in the District of Columbia. The 10,000-square-foot facility includes administrative offices, a conference room and archival space.