[House Report 109-446]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



109th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     109-446

======================================================================
 
 HONORING LEONIDAS RALPH MECHAM, DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE 
OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS AND SECRETARY OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE OF 
                           THE UNITED STATES

                                _______
                                

   April 27, 2006.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Sensenbrenner, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                       [To accompany H. Res. 724]

                  [Including Committee Cost Estimate]

  The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the 
resolution (H. Res. 724) honoring Leonidas Ralph Mecham, 
Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts and Secretary of the Judicial Conference of the United 
States, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed 
to.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Purpose and Summary..............................................     1
Background and Need for the Legislation..........................     2
Hearings.........................................................     2
Committee Consideration..........................................     2
Vote of the Committee............................................     2
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     2
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................     2
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     3
Performance Goals and Objectives.................................     3
Constitutional Authority Statement...............................     3
Section-by-Section Analysis and Discussion.......................     3
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............     3
Markup Transcript................................................     3

                          Purpose and Summary

    H. Res. 724 recognizes and honors Leonidas Ralph Mecham for 
his distinguished service as the Director of the Administrative 
Office of the United States Courts and Secretary of the 
Judicial Conference of the United States.

                Background and Need for the Legislation

    This resolution recognizes Leonidas Ralph Mecham for his 
distinguished career as the Director of the Administrative 
Office of the United States Courts. As the chief non-judicial 
employee of the agency, the Director oversees the operation of 
Federal courts nationwide, helping to ensure a timely and fair 
process to those who came before them. Mr. Mecham's term 
spanning over twenty years distinguishes him as the longest 
serving Director of the Administrative Office.
    During his tenure, the number of cases heard in Federal 
courts increased significantly. In response, Congress has 
provided additional financial and personnel resources to the 
Judicial branch, increasing its budget from $1 billion to $5.7 
billion and the number of authorized district court judges from 
575 to 678. Leonidas Ralph Mecham has played a significant role 
ensuring that these additional resources were properly used in 
the most efficient manner by expanding courthouses, increasing 
district court flexibility, and introducing an online docket 
system.
    This resolution honors Mr. Mecham for his service to the 
nation for more than twenty years.

                                Hearings

    No hearings were held on H. Res. 724.

                        Committee Consideration

    On March 15, 2006, the Committee met in open session and 
ordered favorably reported the resolution H. Res. 724 without 
amendment by voice vote, a quorum being present.

                         Vote of the Committee

    In compliance with clause 3(b) of Rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the Committee notes that there 
were no recorded votes during the Committee consideration of H. 
Res. 724.

                      Committee Oversight Findings

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee reports that the 
findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on 
oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of Rule X of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the 
descriptive portions of this report.

               New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures

    Clause 3(c)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives is inapplicable because this legislation does 
not provide new budgetary authority or increased tax 
expenditures.

                        Committee Cost Estimate

    In compliance with clause 3(d)(2) of Rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee estimates the 
costs of implementing the resolution would be minimal. The 
Congressional Budget Office did not provide a cost estimate for 
the resolution.

                    Performance Goals and Objectives

    H. Res. 724 does not authorize funding. Therefore, clause 
3(c)(4) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives is inapplicable.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of Rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the rule 
does not apply because H. Res. 724 is not a bill or joint 
resolution that may be enacted into law.

               Section-by-Section Analysis and Discussion

    The preambular clauses describe the over twenty years of 
service of Leonidas Ralph Mecham and highlights his 
accomplishments during his tenure.
    The resolved clause provides that the House of 
Representatives:
    (1) commends Leonidas Ralph Mecham for his steadfast 
loyalty and unwavering dedication to the judiciary and to the 
public;
    (2) recognizes Leonidas Ralph Mecham for his more than 20 
years of outstanding public service to the Federal judiciary 
and to the Nation; and
    (3) honors Leonidas Ralph Mecham on the occasion of his 
retirement from the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of Rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the Committee notes H. Res. 724 
makes no changes to existing law.

                           Markup Transcript



                            BUSINESS MEETING

                       WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2006

                  House of Representatives,
                                Committee on the Judiciary,
                                                    Washington, DC.
    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:13 a.m., in 
Room 2141, Rayburn House Office Building, the Honorable F. 
James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (Chairman of the Committee) presiding.
    [Intervening business.]
    Chairman Sensenbrenner. Finally, pursuant to notice, I now 
call up House Resolution 724, honoring Leonidas Ralph Mecham, 
Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts and Secretary of the Judicial Conference of the United 
States for purposes of markup and move its favorable 
recommendation to the House.
    Without objection, the resolution will be considered as 
read and open for amendment at any point, and the Chair has an 
opening statement.
    [The resolution, H. Res. 724, follows:]
      
      

  


      
      

  


    Chairman Sensenbrenner. After 21 years of service, Ralph 
Mecham has announced his retirement from the Administrative 
Office of the Courts. As Director of the AO, Ralph Mecham 
oversaw the operation of Federal courts nationwide, working to 
ensure a timely and fair process to those who came before the 
Federal courts.
    His 20-year term as director of the AO makes him the 
longest serving individual to hold that position. Over the last 
two decades, the number of cases heard in Federal courts has 
increased significantly. In response, Congress has provided 
additional financial and personnel resources to the Federal 
judiciary, increasing its budget from $1 billion to $5.7 
billion and the number of authorized district judges from 575 
to 678.
    Mr. Mecham has helped ensure that these additional 
resources were used in the most efficient manner by expanding 
courthouses, increasing district court flexibility and 
introducing an online docket system. The resolution honors Mr. 
Mecham for his service, and I encourage the support of my 
colleagues.
    I yield back the balance of my time and recognize the 
Ranking Member, who is an original cosponsor of this 
resolution, for his remarks.
    Mr. Conyers. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Members.
    I have very little to add, and I completely support the 
commendations that have been offered to Leonidas Ralph Mecham. 
He has served with great distinction as director of the 
Administrative Office of the United States Courts and Secretary 
of the Judicial Conference. He began in 1952, has worked in 
virtually every segment of the United States industry, and 
there are a long list of services and universities with which 
he is connected.
    I ask that my complete statement be included in the record.
    Chairman Sensenbrenner. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Conyers follows:]
Prepared Statement of the Honorable John Conyers, Jr., a Representative 
 in Congress from the State of Michigan, and Ranking Member, Committee 
                            on the Judiciary
    The bill honors the career of Leonidas Ralph Mecham, who is 
retiring after more than twenty years of service as Director of the 
Administrative Office of the United States Courts and Secretary of the 
Judicial Conference.
    As the longest serving Director in history, Ralph shepherded the 
federal judiciary through monumental changes. Recognizing the 
importance of the judiciary to our system of government, he worked to 
increase funding for the courts during tight budget climates and 
improve the administration of justice. Because of his perseverance, the 
courts function more efficiently through better access to court records 
and presentation of evidence.
    Ralph started his career in 1952 and has worked in virtually every 
segment of U.S. industry. He has served with the Four Corners Regional 
Economic Development Commission of the U.S. Department of Commerce, as 
Chief of Staff to a United States Senator, as Vice President of the 
University of Utah, and in service to the Church of Jesus Christ of 
Latter-day Saints. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in 
Political Science from the University of Utah, a Masters of Public 
Administration from Harvard University, and a Juris Doctor from George 
Washington University Law School.
    I urge my colleagues to vote ``Yes'' on this resolution.

    Mr. Conyers. And urge a yes on this resolution and return 
my unused time.
    Chairman Sensenbrenner. Without objection, all Members may 
insert opening statements in the record at this point.
    Are there amendments?
    There are no amendments. A reporting quorum is present. The 
question occurs on the motion to report House Resolution 724 
favorably. All in favor, say aye.
    Opposed, no.
    The ayes appear to have it. The ayes have it. The motion to 
report favorably is agreed to. Without objection, the staff is 
directed to make any technical and conforming changes, and all 
Members will be given 2 days, as provided by the House rules, 
in which to submit additional, dissenting, supplemental, or 
minority views.
    This concludes the items on the agenda. The Chair would 
like to thank everybody for their efficient processing of 
today's business, and without objection, the Committee stands 
adjourned.
    [Whereupon, at 11:16 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]

                                  
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