U.S. Rep. Howard Coble
GREENSBORO, N.C. – When U.S. Rep. Howard Coble was sworn in to the 99th Congress in January of 1985, he didn't expect to break any records.
"That almost a quarter of a century later I would be talking to you as member of the Congress -- I would have laughed at you," Coble said.
Nevertheless, Coble set a record Friday as the longest serving Republican in the history of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation.
Proof of his 24 years in office can be found on his wall of fame in his Greensboro, N.C., office. It's covered in photos of the representative with notable figures, like Tim Russert and Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones, of Hee Haw.
U.S. Rep. Howard Coble set a record as the longest serving Republican in the history of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation.
In the midst of legislating in Washington, D.C., Coble stays busy making contact with constituents in the 6th District, which includes Moore, Randolph, Alamance, Guilford, Davidson and Rowan counties.
"I think that accessibility is important," Coble said.
It's a full schedule for a man of 80 years, but he said he has a secret for maintaining his high energy level.
"I've got a fairly decent old man's game of tennis, so I try to play tennis at least once a week," Coble said.
He combines that with plenty of walking on Capitol Hill. But with no plans of retiring soon, Coble may be doing quite a bit more walking.
He's running for re-election against Democrat Teresa Sue Bratton of Greensboro, N.C. He said his next term would be devoted to resolving the Iraq War and working to combat high gas prices.
"I think when you drive up to the pump now and you're paying four bucks a gallon, I think more and more Americans are saying, 'By golly, let's explore. Let's drill. Let's refine.' "
While he said he has no desire to break any all-time records, it's clear Coble will come close in serving North Carolina.
"It's been an honor for me to have done so," he said.