A Representative from North Carolina; born in Wilson, Wilson County, N.C., April 27, 1947; graduated from Charles H. Darden High School, Wilson, N.C.; B.A., North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C., 1971; J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law, 1974; United States Army, 1968-1970; lawyer, private practice; North Carolina resident superior court judge, 1989-2001; North Carolina special superior court judge, 2002-2004; Justice of the North Carolina state supreme court, 2001-2002; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Eighth Congress, by special election, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Frank Ballance and reelected to the five succeeding Congresses (July 20, 2004-present).