Eastern District of Texas Federal Court Practice

Judge Cobb's closing remarks

At the recent bench/bar conference, Judge Heartfield read the remarks which Judge Cobb had prepared and asked to be read at his final services, as well as to his colleagues in the bench and bar.  In the hopes that they will reach even more of the people Judge Cobb intended, they are reproduced here - click for a full-sized version.  (Warning: you might want to get a tissue first). 

Senior Judge Howell Cobb passes away

Senior U.S. District Judge Howell Cobb of Beaumont passed away Friday, as he and Mrs. Cobb prepared to return home from a vacation in Maine.  Judge Cobb, 82, was appointed to the bench by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.  He was born in Atlanta on Dec. 7, 1922, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater.  Judge Cobb is survived by his wife, Amelie, six children and 22 grandchildren, with the 23rd on the way.

Motion to Remand Denied - State Law Claims Required Construction of Federal Tax Code

Bobo v. Christus Health, 359 F.Supp.2d 552 (E.D.Tex., 2005) (NO. CIV.A.1:04-CV-626)
Judge: Howell Cobb
Division: Beaumont
Holding: Motion to Remand DENIED
COMMENTS:
Plaintiff sued a non-profit, charitable hospital claiming that hospital charged excessive rates for caring for uninsured patients in violation of its local, state and federal tax exemptions. Hospital removed action, and patient moved to remand.  Judge Cobb held that federal question jurisdiction existed over the state-law claims because they were dependent on construction and application of the federal tax code.