Many of Stokes’ colleagues and fellow politicians described him as being tough, principled, analytical, and steadfast. He was known as a well-respected leader on Capitol Hill, and an advocate for the poor and disenfranchised in Cleveland and beyond. Stokes secured his legacy by working tirelessly within the system to bring about major changes to equal education and job opportunities for all, while devoting his entire political career to health care reform and abolishing health care disparity. He also was an early advocate of federal government intervention in the fight against HIV/AIDS.