49–006 

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 OfVerDate Aug 31 2005 06:31 Apr 28, 2006 Jkt 049006 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR446.XXX HR446

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fice 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. 


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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. 


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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:] 


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1

IV

109TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION 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.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MARCH 14, 2006

Mr. SENSENBRENNER (for himself, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CANNON, Mr. SMITH

of Texas, Mr. INGLIS of South Carolina, Mr. FEENEY, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, and Mr. COBLE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

Honoring Leonidas Ralph Mecham, Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and Secretary

of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Whereas Ralph Mecham has served under three chief justices

for more than 20 years as the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, earning him

the distinction of the longest serving director in the agency’s history;

Whereas Ralph Mecham has focused on enhancing support to

the Judicial Conference;

Whereas Ralph Mecham has worked to secure sufficient resources for the judiciary in tight budget climates;

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2

•HRES 724 IH

Whereas Ralph Mecham assisted in the creation of a program

to obtain funding for new courthouses to replace aging,

unsafe facilities, and to enhance judicial security;

Whereas Ralph Mecham championed innovations that have

enhanced court administration by decentralizing financial

and management responsibilities, thereby providing more

flexibility to district and circuit courts; and

Whereas Ralph Mecham encouraged the development and incorporation into the judicial system of the latest technology, which has resulted in major improvements in

court efficiency, presentation of evidence, and access to

court records: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) commends Leonidas Ralph Mecham for his

3 steadfast loyalty and unwavering dedication to the

4 judiciary and to the public;

5 (2) recognizes Leonidas Ralph Mecham for his

6 more than 20 years of outstanding public service to

7 the Federal judiciary and to the Nation; and

8 (3) honors Leonidas Ralph Mecham on the oc9 casion of his retirement from the Administrative Of10 fice of the United States Courts.

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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? 


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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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