[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 116 (Tuesday, July 15, 2008)]
[House]
[Page H6552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING HOWARD COBLE FOR BEING THE LONGEST-SERVING NORTH CAROLINA 
                    REPUBLICAN IN U.S. HOUSE HISTORY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today is a special day in the history of North 
Carolina, this Congress, and especially in the life of public service 
led by Congressman Howard Coble from North Carolina's Sixth 
Congressional District.
  Today, Congressman Coble becomes the longest-serving Republican from 
North Carolina in the history of the House of Representatives. His 
nearly 24 years of congressional service eclipses the record of service 
previously held by Jim Broyhill, who served from 1963 to 1986.
  Howard has a sterling reputation as a man of integrity and principle, 
a representative who stands for what is right and who fights on behalf 
of what makes America a great Nation. He is a truly independent voice 
for North Carolina and Washington. I consider it a profound honor to 
call Howard a dear friend, and I always look forward to working with 
him in Congress on behalf of the people of North Carolina.
  In addition to his unimpeachable character, Howard Coble is a 
champion for his constituents, whether he is working in Washington or 
back in North Carolina. He is passionate about constituent service, and 
he never backs down from a challenge to do what makes sense for those 
he represents in North Carolina's Sixth District.
  His North Carolina values of hard work, common sense and sacrifice, 
on behalf of those he serves, have made Howard not just the longest-
serving Republican from North Carolina but also a tremendously 
effective legislator.
  The dean of the North Carolina delegation is also in possession of 
one of the sharpest wits in Congress. He is renowned for his deadpan 
humor and loves a good joke, even if it's at his own expense. As I am 
sure his constituents are aware, Howard is always ready with a cheerful 
greeting and a welcoming smile for whoever crosses his path.
  In fact, many of those who meet Howard for the first time will 
quickly realize his affection for his constituents in his district. He 
can hardly meet a constituent without inquiring about their high school 
alma mater and then rattling off their high school's mascot.
  It's not just that Howard knows the high school mascot of every high 
school in his district, it's that he cares about the little details 
that mean so much to average North Carolinians. Perhaps the most 
fitting summary of Howard's personality is that he is the essence of 
what it means to be a southern gentleman, someone who simply exudes 
kindness, charm and compassion.
  Of course, Howard's sharp wit can be a two-edged sword. Last month 
his sense of humor almost killed someone. At the North Carolina GOP 
convention, he cracked a joke to Senator Robert Pittenger, who is 
campaigning to become North Carolina's lieutenant governor. Pittenger 
nearly expired after choking on his meal in mid-chuckle. Reliable 
sources have hinted that the joke might have been a variation of 
Howard's feisty mountain woman one-liner that he routinely uses to 
describe me. Fortunately, former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee 
was there to rescue Pittenger from Howard's humor with a well-placed 
Heimlich maneuver.
  All kidding aside, one thing I admire most about Congressman Coble is 
the fact he has served so long and so admirably while still retaining 
the North Carolina values that helped bring him to Congress 24 years 
ago. He has no doubt seen much during his tenure from the last days of 
the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall, to the heady days of 
the implementation of the GOP's Contract with America in 1995, and then 
the dark days after September 11. Throughout it all, Congressman Coble 
has been a consistent, caring legislator who represents the very best 
of our great State of North Carolina.
  Today, I salute Howard Coble, my friend, for his many years of 
service. On this historic day, I wish him many more years of faithfully 
serving his constituents and his country.
  Howard is truly one of a kind.

                          ____________________