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Office | District | Status |
| U.S. Representative | U.S. House 6 | Incumbent | |
| Party | In Office Since | Term Ends | |
| Republican | 1984 | 2010 | |
| Level of Government | |||
| Congress | |||
| Date of Birth | Birthplace | Now Lives In | |
| March 18, 1931 | Greensboro, NC | Greensboro, NC | |
Synopsis | Howard Coble is the longest-serving current member of the North Carolina Congressional delegation. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard, as an assistant U.S. Attorney and as state Secretary of Revenue under Gov. Jim Holshouser. After four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives, he was elected to the U.S. House in 1984 to represent the Sixth Congressional District, centered around the Triad area. He is one of two Congressmen who have never enrolled in the Congressional pension fund on principle. |
Trivia |
He likes to eat pork brains and eggs for breakfast. |
Endorsements |
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Biography
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Marital Status
Single
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U.S. Rep. Howard Coble is the longest-serving current member of North Carolina's Congressional delegation.
Early Life and Education
John Howard Coble was born on March 18, 1931, in Greensboro, to Joe and Johnny Coble.
His father worked for more than 40 years at Belk's department store, starting by sweeping floors and retiring managing the large downtown store. His mother sewed pockets onto overalls at Blue Bell Textile Co.
He attended public schools in Guilford County.
In 1949, he briefly attended Appalachian State University in Boone. He dropped out to join the Coast Guard after one year after he wrecked his family's car during the summer.
In 1958, he earned a bachelor of arts in history from Guilford College in Greensboro.
In 1962, he earned a law degree from the UNC-Chapel Hill school of law.
Military Service
He served from 1952 to 1956 and again in 1977 in active duty in the U.S. Coast Guard, ending with the rank of captain.
From 1960 to 1981, he was a Coast Guard reservist.
Professional Career
From 1961 to 1967, Coble worked in the claims department at State Farm Mutual Insurnace Co.
From 1967 to 1969, he was an assistant county attorney in Guilford County.
From 1969 to 1973, he was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Middle District of North Carolina.
From 1973 to 1977, he was state Secretary of Revenue under Gov. Jim Holshouser.
From 1979 to 1983, he practiced law with Turner, Enochs & Sparrow in Greensboro.
Political Career
In 1969, he served briefly in the state House of Representatives.
In 1979, he was elected to state House, serving until 1984.
On Nov. 6, 1984, he was elected to his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the Sixth Congressional District centered in the Triad.
After campaigning against the Congressional pension fund in his first race, he never enrolled in it. U.S. Rep. Ron Paul is the only other known Congressman to turn down the pension.
From 1997 to 2002, he chaired a committee on copyright and patent protection, earning the ire of Don Henley and other musicians for a provision on ownership of old recordings. He later helped repeal the measure.
Other notable bills he has worked on in that position include the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, the American Inventors Protection Act of 1999, the No Electric Theft Act of 1997, the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act of 1998 and the Satellite Home Viewer Act of 1999.
Although he no longers chairs the committee, he remains a ranking member.
He voted for the Iraq war resolution but in 2005 he was one of the first members of Congress to suggest a pullout.
In the 110th Congress, he was one of the principal authors of the Second Chance Act, which created new training and education programs to reduce prison recidivism.
He was re-elected to his 13th term in 2008 and is the longest-serving current member of the North Carolina delegation.
Research and reporting by Ryan Teague Beckwith.
Occupation
| Attorney |
Community Involvement:
Alamance Presbyterian Church, American Legion, Veterans for Foreign Wars, Lions Club, Scottish Rite Guilford Lodge No. 656, Sons of the American Revolution.
Contact Info
Education
Appalachian State University |
bachelor of arts Guilford College Graduated: 1958 |
juris doctorate UNC-Chapel Hill Graduated: 1962 |
Military
| Years of service: 1952-1956 |
Branch: Coast Guard |
