NIC MOURNS THE LOSS OF FRATERNITY ADVOCATE In August, the interfraternal community lost perhaps its strongest advocate in elected national office. Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, one of the great champions of today's Greek movement, died as a result of a hemorrhage suffered Tuesday. NIC President and CEO Pete Smithhisler added, "I will miss her joyful spirit that she shared each time she stepped to the microphone at the congressional receptions. The great many of us privileged to be with her on Capitol Hill will miss the particular energy and excitement she alone added to those gatherings." The NIC and its member fraternities extend condolences to the family and friends of our sincere friend and partner Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. At the NIC Annual Meeting in 2007, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones received the NIC Silver Medal. One of the Conference's highest honors, the medal recognizes significant leadership for causes that

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones 1949-2008

advance the highest ideals of fraternalism. Her dedication to the Congressional Fraternal Caucus and her co-sponsorship and leadership behind the College Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA) earned that recognition and praise. She continued to support CHIA at this year's Annual Meeting where she was the vocal leader of the Congressional Reception. The Congresswoman also earned the NIC's Award of Distinction.

A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the first African-American woman elected to the US House of Representatives from the state of Ohio, Mrs. Tubbs Jones served the residents of the 11th district of Ohio. In the House, she chaired the Ethics Committee, and she was the first black woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Elected in 1998, she was to be a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The Greek community is indebted to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones for her leadership and for her many years of active involvement.