NCBA Honors U.S. Rep. Howard Coble
Article Date: Friday, April 13, 2007
Written By: Russell Rawlings
The North Carolina Bar Association honored U.S. Rep. Howard Coble (R-N.C.) last week in Charlotte in conjunction with the spring meeting of the NCBA Board of Governors.
NCBA President Clark Smith, left, presents plaque to U.S. Rep. Howard Coble. |
The recognition dinner has become an annual event for the NCBA, which in recent years has honored retiring state Supreme Court Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr., N.C. Superior Court Judge Howard Manning, AOC Director Ralph Walker and ABA President A.P. Carlton.
Typically conducted at the winter meeting, ceremonies honoring Rep. Coble were deferred to April due to an important roll call vote in Washington, D.C.
Delaying the event did nothing to lessen the enthusiasm with which the 13-term lawmaker and longtime NCBA member was received by fellow members of the bar, who rose twice for standing ovations when Coble was introduced and also when he completed his remarks.
NCBA Executive Director Allan Head, left, and Howard Coble admire Bob Timberlake print. |
Greensboro lawyer Robert N. "Bob" Hunter provided introductory remarks for his longtime colleague and friend. NCBA President Clark Smith presented Coble with a recognition plaque and a framed, personalized Bill Mangum print.
Both gestures were warmly received by Coble, who began his political career as a four-term member of the N.C. House of Representatives. He first served in the General Assembly in 1969 and again from 1979 through 1984.
On Nov. 6, 1984, Coble was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. The Greensboro native and lifelong Guilford County resident has represented the 6th District with distinction for 22 years. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, he serves on the Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security Subcommittee and is ranking member on the Courts and Intellectual Property Subcommittee.
Howard Coble responds to NCBA honor. |
Coble also serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee where he is a member of the Aviation, Coast Guard and Highways, Transit and Pipelines subcommittees.
Educated in the public schools of Guilford County, Coble attended Appalachian State University prior to serving five-plus years in the U.S. Coast Guard. He also served 18 years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, completing his assignment as commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Unit in Wilmington.
Coble earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Guilford College in 1958 and proceeded to the University of North Carolina School of Law, where he received his juris doctor in 1962.
Following seven years in the insurance industry, Coble served as assistant county attorney for Guilford County from 1967-69 and as Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of N.C. from 1969-73. He served as secretary of the N.C. Department of Revenue from 1973-77 and practiced law in Greensboro with the firm of Turner, Enochs & Sparrow prior to running for and winning a seat in Congress.
A member of the N.C. State Bar and the Greensboro Bar Association, Coble is involved in numerous civic, community and church endeavors, including service on the Board of Visitors at Guilford College.