[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S4793]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF LEONIDAS RALPH MECHAM

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I rise to pay tribute to Leonidas 
Ralph Mecham, who recently retired after more than 20 years as Director 
of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. As that agency's 
longest-serving Director, Ralph ably guided the judiciary through some 
turbulent and challenging times, and for such he deserves the praise 
and commendation of this body.
  Ralph Mecham was born on April 23, 1928, in Murray, UT. He earned a 
bachelor's degree with highest honors from the University of Utah, a 
law degree from George Washington University, and a master's degree in 
public administration from Harvard University. Ralph's first stint here 
in Washington began more than 50 years ago, when he served as a 
legislative assistant and administrative assistant to Senator Wallace 
Bennett of Utah, the father of our colleague Senator Bob Bennett. Ralph 
returned to our State to serve as vice president of his alma mater, the 
University of Utah, where he also taught constitutional law and was 
responsible for creating the University of Utah Research Park.
  Ralph could not stay away from Washington and returned to serve as 
Special Assistant to the Secretary of Commerce. In July 1985, Chief 
Justice Warren Burger appointed him Director of the Administrative 
Office of the U.S. Courts. The Administrative Office provides internal 
administrative support to the judicial branch and communicates on 
behalf of the judiciary with Congress, the executive branch, and the 
public.
  Ralph served in this capacity during a particularly challenging time 
for the judiciary. Providing effective judicial administration in the 
face of budgetary constraints is difficult when the Federal judiciary's 
caseload continues its upward spiral. Cases filed in the U.S. Court of 
Appeals, for example, more than doubled during Ralph's time as 
Director. The number of bankruptcy cases skyrocketed from 365,000 to 
over 1,780,000 in that same period. In addition, national tragedies 
such as the terrorist attacks of September 11, as well as catastrophes 
such as Hurricane Katrina, created their own unique challenges to the 
continued functioning of the judiciary. Ralph met each challenge 
effectively. His extensive background in public administration and 
experience in both the legislative and executive branches served him 
well in equipping the judicial branch for its critical tasks even 
through these challenges and troubled times.
  Ralph also helped guide the judicial branch through a period of 
increased public attention and even criticism regarding judicial 
decisions. Protecting judicial independence while also enhancing public 
understanding of the function of judges in our system of government is 
just the kind of balancing act Ralph was prepared to tackle. He did so 
effectively with a steady hand.
  The Director of the Administrative Office serves as secretary of the 
Judicial Conference and as a member of its executive committee. The 
judges who chaired the executive committee during Ralph's tenure also 
have praised his work.
  The current executive committee chairman, U.S. District Judge Thomas 
F. Hogan, says that ``[w]atching Ralph operate is like watching a 
master conductor guide the philharmonic orchestra through a complicated 
Bach symphony.'' If only this could be said of us Senators and our work 
on our committees or on this floor.
  Judge Carolyn Dineen King, Chief Judge of the Fifth Circuit, chaired 
the executive committee from 2002 to 2005. In tackling a wide range of 
problems, she says, ``Director Mecham exhibited his usual 
inventiveness, intensity, tenacity, and judgment and his remarkable 
ability to inspire others . . . to do the very best they were capable 
of.''
  Judge Wilfred Feinberg of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second 
Circuit chaired the executive committee from 1987 to 1989. He has said 
that ``Ralph handled this difficult job with confidence, competence and 
dedication. It is a testament to his hard work and dedication that 
today the federal courts to a large extent so successfully manage their 
own resources and operations.''
  Judge Ralph K. Winter, also a former Chief Judge of the Second 
Circuit, chaired the executive committee a decade later, from 1999 to 
2000. He believed that Ralph showed ``a remarkable capacity for keeping 
the long view in mind while putting out the short-term fires that would 
relentlessly pop up in various directions.''
  Perhaps the best applause for Ralph Mecham's leadership comes from 
Sixth Circuit Judge Gilbert Merritt, who chaired the executive 
committee from 1994 to 1996. ``The judiciary is in much better shape 
administratively than it was 20 years ago.'' Whether in our families, 
our communities, or our work, we should each strive to leave those in 
our charge better off than we found them.
  I was pleased to hear that Ralph recently received the 2006 National 
Public Service Award in recognition of his excellence in a half-century 
of public service. The award announcement noted his support for the 
Judicial Conference by providing high-quality services to judges and 
the courts, and by building relationships both inside and outside the 
judiciary.
  Ralph Mecham has been married to the former Barbara Folsom for more 
than 55 years. With 5 children and 14 grandchildren, he is a devoted 
family man. Ralph has served in various positions in church and 
community, including time as a missionary in Great Britain, chairman of 
the Utah State Heart Association, chairman of the Salt Lake County 
Cancer Association, and chairman of the University of Utah National 
Advisory Council. His commitment to the community and to his church 
continues.
  The judicial branch and the country are better because of Ralph's 
service. I want to commend him for his commitment and for setting a 
good example of public service. His record tells me that, even in 
supposed retirement, Ralph Mecham will continue helping and serving 
those around him.

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