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87-537: The commission was announced in the Pensions Green Paper published in December 2002. It consisted of three Commissioners and a small secretariat. The chair was Adair Turner , the other members were John Hills and Jeannie Drake. The Commission has now reported and been wound up. A more recent Pensions Commission was set up chaired by John Hutton. The Commission was responsible for looking at how

174-424: A constituency (the equivalent of a member of parliament in the contemporaneous Parliament of England ). There were burgh commissioners and shire or stewartry commissioners. In many U.S. states , the legislative and executive decision-making bodies of counties are called the board of commissioners or county commission . In Minnesota , Alaska , New Hampshire , New York , Texas and Tennessee ,

261-416: A "speech from the throne". The monarch gives a speech but it does not focus on or direct government policy. In Sweden, the practice of having a speech from the throne given by the monarch was held until 1974, coinciding with the rewrite of the constitution of Sweden which removed formal involvement of the monarch in the legislative process. The old opening of the legislature was called "The Solemn Opening of

348-550: A Canadian province. In Quebec , however, the speech is referred to as the "Opening Address" ( French : Allocution d'ouverture ). In each of the Canadian territories, the commissioner reads the Throne Speech or Opening Address to the legislature. In British overseas territories that have instituted this practice, the relevant governor delivers the speech. A throne speech is not typical in the devolved legislatures within

435-404: A French military governor, in 1950 also restyled résident) to independence as a united monarchy in 1951. From the mid-19th century until 1939, two U.S. government cabinet departments used the title "commissioner" for officials posted abroad who did not enjoy diplomatic status . U.S. federal agencies have not titled officials posted abroad as commissioners since 1939. During the 19th century,

522-640: A commissioner upon its founding later that year. The use of "commissioner" has been less prevalent in top-level women's leagues. When the NBA founded the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) in 1996, it chose to use the title of "president" for that league's chief executive, and did not use the title of "commissioner" for that position until 2019. The National Women's Soccer League , founded in 2012 with play starting in 2013, initially called its chief executive "commissioner", but that position had been vacant after

609-404: A direct day-to-day role in administration and government and chaired the territory's executive council, today they are under instruction to act more like provincial lieutenant governors, as territorial assemblies have taken on more responsibility. Commissioners thus perform ceremonial duties similar to those of the monarch and viceroys, including reading the speech from the throne at the opening of

696-538: A gentleman who had "COMMISSIONER OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO EUROPE, ASIA, AND AFRICA" thundering after his name in one awful blast! I had carefully prepared myself to take rather a back seat in that ship because of the uncommonly select material that would alone be permitted to pass through the camel's eye of that committee on credentials; I had schooled myself to expect an imposing array of military and naval heroes and to have to set that back seat still further back in consequence of it may be, but I state frankly that I

783-466: A modern state generally holds his or her office by a commission from the head of state or a council of elected representatives (or appointed by non-elected officials in the case of dictatorships). Commissioners are the formal heads of the territories in Canada (those areas under the formal jurisdiction of the federal Crown- in-Council without separate constitutional status of a province ). Unlike

870-540: A result, the speech no longer marks the opening of a session of parliament but the start of a new parliamentary year. In Norway, the monarch is required by article 74 of the constitution to preside over the opening of a session of the Storting (which happens every October) after it has been declared to be legally constituted by the president of the Storting. The monarch delivers the speech before parliamentarians in

957-548: A single commissar of the provisional government (October 1917 – 16 March 1918 Aleksey Aleksandrovich Turchaninov) until czarist rule collapsed for good, giving way to the Soviet regime A UN commissioner appointed in 1949 supervised the transition of the UN Trust territory of Libya (a former Italian colony; actually Tripolitania and Cyrenaica each was under a British administrator, in 1949 restyled Resident , Fezzan under

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1044-545: A specific commission. In particular, the commissioner frequently refers to senior police or government officials. A high commissioner is equivalent to an ambassador , originally between the United Kingdom and the Dominions and now between all Commonwealth states, whether Commonwealth realms , republics or countries having a monarch other than that of the realms. The title is sometimes given to senior officials in

1131-710: A throne speech, such as when, in 2011, Brigette DePape , a page in the Canadian Senate , interrupted Governor General David Johnston 's reading of the Speech From the Throne by standing and holding a sign calling for the then Prime Minister, Stephen Harper , to be stopped. Formally, the motion that follows the speech merely calls on parliament to thank the monarch or viceroy via an Address in Reply. The debate is, however, often wide-ranging, exploring many aspects of

1218-511: Is also known as the King's Speech (or Queen's Speech if the reigning monarch is female); the Netherlands , on Prince's Day ; and Norway . In other countries the monarch may or may not attend the opening of the country's legislature; they may also give a speech, but these speeches, in contrast, do not outline any government agenda. Many republics have adopted a similar practice in which

1305-409: Is often held annually, although in some places it may occur more or less frequently, whenever a new session of the legislature is opened. Historically, when monarchs exercised personal influence and overall decision-making in government, a speech from the throne would outline the policies and objectives of the monarch; the speech was usually prepared by the monarch's advisers, but the monarch supervised

1392-539: Is still the monarch who officially opens the annual session but he no longer gives a "speech from the throne"; the monarch is invited by the Speaker and delivers an introductory speech and then declares the session open. After the speech, the Prime Minister delivers a statement of the upcoming government agenda ( Swedish : Regeringsförklaring ) for the forthcoming legislative year is made. In Thailand ,

1479-601: Is that most European sports (including those in Great Britain) include powerful governing bodies that operate independently of and hold some power over the professional leagues, whereas in North America the equivalent governing bodies' de facto authority is mostly confined to amateur sport. For example, while the Premier League is roughly as lucrative and wealthy as the "Big Four" North American leagues,

1566-546: The Australian state of New South Wales . The title of commissioner or district commissioner , as such, was used by the (gubernatorial) chief British official in: The title of commissioner was also used by the senior diplomatic representatives of Commonwealth countries in British colonies , such as: Canada calls its government officials in charge of export promotion " trade commissioners ". There are 150 offices of

1653-535: The Australian states , the relevant governor reads the speech, though the Australian monarch may also perform the task: Queen Elizabeth II opened the parliaments of some of the Australian states in 1954 and of New South Wales in 1992. In almost all the Canadian provinces , the relevant lieutenant governor delivers the speech; it is uncertain whether the Canadian monarch can do the same in any legislature of

1740-886: The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in Canada and abroad, and they "assist with export advice and guidance to help [Canadians] achieve [their] international business goals". The website devoted to the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service uses the Internet domain www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca . The European commissioners are the members of the European Commission , the cabinet of the European Union . Commissioners’ role closely resembles that of

1827-628: The Parliament of Canada in 1957 and 1977. Another member of the royal family may also perform this duty, such as when, on 1 September 1919, the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII ) read the Speech From the Throne in the Canadian parliament. On two occasions, the administrator of the Government delivered the address to the Parliament of Canada: 16 May 1963 and 30 September 1974. In

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1914-432: The Parliament of Malaysia in joint session during its state opening yearly every March. In accordance with the constitution , the king addresses parliament at the beginning of its yearly session on the second Friday of October. The speech may only be made legally binding if it is read before both houses of parliament. Additionally, the monarch addresses the nation on the anniversaries of his accession ( Throne Day ),

2001-739: The Revolution of the King and the People and the Green March . In the Netherlands, the speech from the throne is held annually on the third Tuesday in September, which is called Prinsjesdag (Prince's Day). Article 65 of the constitution states that "A statement of the policy to be pursued by the Government is given by or on behalf of the King before a joint session of the two Houses of

2088-722: The Riksdag " ( Swedish : Riksdagens högtidliga öppnande ) and was full of symbolism. The speech was given before the Riksdag in the Hall of State at the Royal Palace . The King would be seated on the Silver Throne as he gave his speech. Prior to 1907, the monarch and the princes of the royal blood would also wear their royal and princely robes and their crowns and coronets . After Oscar II 's death, his successor, Gustav V

2175-506: The Senate , it is Bill S-1 , an Act Relating to Railways. The texts of these two bills have nothing to do with either oaths of office or railways ; instead, they contain near-identical wordings that explain their pro forma function. In Australia and New Zealand, by contrast, no pro forma bills are introduced; there, the respective houses of representatives instead consider some brief and non-controversial business items before debating

2262-439: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began sending employees, called "agricultural commissioners", abroad to investigate foreign agriculture. These appointments were of a roving nature, as the officials were not assigned to a particular country or city. In 1919 USDA posted to London an agricultural commissioner without diplomatic status, Edward Foley, to report on British agriculture. Additional commissioners were posted through

2349-486: The bishop of Winchester in 1410; in 1453 and 1467, the bishop of Lincoln ; the bishop of Rochester in 1472; and the keeper of the Privy Seal in 1431. It may have been written by or with the input of the king's or queen's advisers, but, the monarch, as supreme governor, was the principal author. Today, within the tenets of constitutional monarchy , the speech is written by the sitting cabinet , with or without

2436-415: The chamber of the Storting . The heir to the throne also regularly accompanies the monarch. Upon the monarch's arrival in the chamber, the members of the Storting stand and the first verse of the royal anthem, Kongesangen , is sung. The monarch is handed the speech by the prime minister and proceeds to deliver the speech while all remain standing. Afterwards, the monarch and members take their seats and

2523-500: The football commissioner until 1970 when the merger was finalized and the AFL was fully absorbed into the NFL. No rival U.S. football league has recognized the NFL commissioner's authority since 1970, although no such league has lasted longer than three seasons. In Canadian football , the title of commissioner dates to no later than the 1940s. Like many of the NFL's rivals south of the border,

2610-403: The governor general or a lieutenant governor , commissioners are not viceregal representatives of the Canadian monarch ; rather, they are delegates of the federal Crown-in-Council and, under federal statutes governing the territories, act following written instructions from Cabinet or the minister responsible (currently the minister of northern affairs ). While commissioners formerly had

2697-687: The head of state , often a president , addresses the legislature; in the United States, the president makes an annual State of the Union address, in the Philippines the president makes an annual State of the Nation Address . In parliamentary republics where the president is merely a ceremonial figurehead, these speeches are often similar in tone to the throne speech of a constitutional monarchy, whereas in presidential systems such as

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2784-451: The local government system of the Isle of Man , a commissioner is an elected representative equivalent to a councillor . All town, village, district and parish local government bodies consist of commissioners, except for Douglas , which has a council and councillors. Malawi 's position of district commissioner refers to the person that is appointed by the president of Malawi to oversee

2871-611: The monarch makes a speech at a joint session in the Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall , advising the National Assembly in their work. Many republics also hold a yearly event in which the president gives a speech to a joint session of the legislature, such as the State of the Union address given by the president of the United States and in most U.S. states, where the governor gives a similar State of

2958-544: The 1920s to Buenos Aires, Berlin, and Shanghai. The title began to be phased out in 1930 with the passage of the Foreign Agricultural Service Act, which granted USDA authority to use the diplomatic title " attaché ". The last USDA employee to bear the title "agricultural commissioner" was Owen Dawson, agricultural commissioner at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, who received diplomatic status and

3045-619: The Address in Reply. In Japan, the emperor makes only a short speech of greeting during the National Diet opening ceremony; he does not refer to any government policies, instead allowing the Prime Minister to address political matters, as in the contemporary cases in Sweden and Denmark. Malaysia also has the same practice, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong making such an address to

3132-526: The Commonwealth of Nations and the United States, the title of commissioner typically designates the head of an entire police force. In other countries, such as Latin American countries, France, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, Italy, etc., a commissioner is typically the commander of a major police station or a locally/regionally important police service. The equivalent ranks in

3219-806: The Crown; a practice that originated after King Charles I was tried and executed by parliament. In the British House of Commons , the other business raised is by tradition the Outlawries Bill , while the House of Lords reads the Select Vestries Bill ; neither proceeds past the first reading . In the House of Commons of Canada , the bill considered is Bill C-1 , an Act Respecting the Administration of Oaths of Office, while in

3306-581: The Departments of State, Agriculture and Commerce) were merged in 1939 under Reorganization Plan No. II . In The Salvation Army , the rank of commissioner is the second-highest attainable rank and the highest rank by appointment, as the rank of general is attained by election by the High Council . It is one of the original ranks of the Army and has been in use since 1880, the first commissioner

3393-575: The Football Association nevertheless has the power to veto the appointment of that league's chief executive. The Australian Football League is governed by the AFL Commission , whose members are called commissioners. However, the head of the commission, who is the closest equivalent to a North American sports commissioner, is formally titled the chairman, and is never referred to as a commissioner . Current commissioners of

3480-406: The King!’ after which the monarch is greeted with three cheers. The monarch and his retinue leave and the joint session is declared to be closed. The monarch returns to the palace in the coach and, along with other members of the royal house, appears on the palace balcony. Following the 1983 revision of the constitution, a parliamentary session changed from lasting a year to lasting for four years. As

3567-499: The NBA in 1976. The National Hockey League did not follow suit when the rival World Hockey Association commenced playing, as then-NHL president Clarence Campbell , who was openly hostile to the WHA's very existence, made clear he was not interested in any change to his own title. The NHL finally appointed a commissioner in 1993 (long after merging with the WHA ) when incumbent Gary Bettman assumed office. Major League Soccer appointed

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3654-585: The NFL commissioner's authority). Finally in 1966, the American Football League agreed to abolish their commissioner's office and recognize the authority of then-NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle in exchange for the NFL agreeing to a merger with its most successful rival. This did not result in any formal change to Rozelle's title or even in his powers, since the NFL constitution already purportedly granted him extensive power over other professional leagues. Nevertheless he became informally known as

3741-945: The North American professional leagues are Roger Goodell in the NFL, Rob Manfred in MLB (and Minor League Baseball ), Adam Silver in the NBA, Gary Bettman in the NHL, Don Garber in MLS, Randy Ambrosie in the CFL, Oliver Luck in the XFL , Cathy Engelbert in the WNBA, and Lisa Baird in the NWSL. In many cases, the term commissioner is part of a more specific title, including English renditions of such titles in other languages. Examples (in some cases there are further compounds) include: Speech from

3828-689: The Report on the State of the Realm, an account of the government achievement of the past year, is read (traditionally in Nynorsk ), customarily by the youngest member of the government present. The members and monarch rise and the monarch is presented with the report by the prime minister and the monarch returns the speech and report to the president. The president gives some remarks and closes with "May God preserve our King and country", joined by other members of

3915-658: The States General that is held every year on the third Tuesday in September or on such earlier date as may be prescribed by Act of Parliament." The monarch travels from Noordeinde Palace by coach to the Ridderzaal (Hall of Knights) in the Binnenhof of The Hague to read the speech before a joint session of the States General . Following the speech, the president of the joint session calls out 'Long live

4002-575: The Storting and the first verse of the national anthem is then sung. After the monarch and his retinue have left, the meeting is adjourned and the speech and report are first debated at the subsequent sitting. In Spain, speeches from the throne used to be practiced before the declaration of the Second Spanish Republic in 1931. With the restoration of the Spanish monarchy in 1975, the monarch still opens parliament but no longer gives

4089-442: The U.S. the speeches are somewhat different in that the president exercises personal discretion over the content but the principle of separation of powers means the legislature is not obligated to follow whatever agenda (if any) may be contained in such a speech. In the United Kingdom, the speech is known as His Majesty's Most Gracious Speech , the Gracious Address , or, less formally, the King's Speech (or Queen's Speech , when

4176-429: The UK pension system if policy remained unchanged, and the Commission's recommendations for a new policy direction. A final statement was published on 4 April 2006, detailing its response to specific issues which had arisen in the debate on pension reform since publication of the Second Report. The Commission's reports are often collectively referred to as the Turner Report . This article related to government in

4263-409: The UK the same person as their respective sovereign, the speech from the throne will usually be read on the monarch's behalf by his or her viceroy , the governor-general , although the monarch may deliver the address in person: Queen Elizabeth II read the Throne Speech in the Parliament of New Zealand in 1954, 1963, 1970, 1974, 1977, 1986, and 1990, the Parliament of Australia in 1954 and 1974, and

4350-435: The United Kingdom or its constituent countries is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Commissioner A commissioner (commonly abbreviated as Comm'r ) is, in principle, a member of a commission or an individual who has been given a commission (official charge or authority to do something). In practice, the title of commissioner has evolved to include a variety of senior officials, often sitting on

4437-441: The United Kingdom; the nearest equivalent is a statement of the legislative agenda of the executive branch, usually given by a first minister. However, the British monarch often undertakes visits and speaks to the devolved bodies in a less official capacity. During her reign Queen Elizabeth II was present and gave an address at all openings of the Scottish parliament , usually speaking reflectively upon its accomplishments and wishing

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4524-417: The United States to " trade commissioners " employed by the U.S. Department of Commerce . Most but not all trade commissioners were retitled commercial attachés upon creation of the Foreign Commerce Service ( viz. ) in 1927. The title "trade commissioner" went out of use in the United States when Commerce's overseas officials were transferred to the Department of State and all three U.S. foreign services (of

4611-404: The administration of any of its 28 districts . One commissioner is appointed per district. The position was created during the British colonial era, sustained during the Kamuzu Banda era and continues as a prominent position in democratic era in Malawi. Prior to the Acts of Union 1707 , an elected member of the Estates (parliament) of Scotland held the office of commissioner, representing

4698-509: The aftermath of the Black Sox Scandal . Landis was titled "commissioner" partly to distinguish his office from that of the "president" of the American and National Leagues . Landis' title derived from the National Commission , the ruling body for baseball established in 1903, when the two leagues were largely autonomous organizations. The commission originally consisted of three members. Desperate to restore public confidence in their sport's integrity, baseball owners agreed to appoint Landis as

4785-502: The ceremony has taken place since the Middle Ages , while others place its origins in the 16th century, when England was still an absolute monarchy . The speech explained to parliament the reasons it was summoned and sometimes set out the sovereign's policies and objectives. The monarch would sometimes speak to parliament in person; Edward III (in 1365), Richard II , and Edward IV did so to both houses of parliament on multiple separate occasions. However, various other figures gave

4872-433: The colonial administration in several French-ruled countries. After on 17 April 1914 Tannu Tuva (ethnically Mongolian) was declared a Russian 'protected' area ( Uryanhay [Urjanhaj] kray ), two subsequent Russian commissioners for the affairs of Urjanhai Kray (1914–1915 A.P. Cererin (Tsererin) and 1915–1917 Yu.V. Grigoryev) were appointed, alongside the last native tribal paramount chief (title Ambyn-noyon ), followed by

4959-494: The commissioner or appointing a commissioner and reducing the position of league president to a mere figurehead role. The National Football League appointed its first commissioner in 1941. The NFL, which in its early years faced several rival leagues, intended its commissioner's office to be analogous to the one then held by Landis in baseball, with authority over all of professional football. The NFL's rivals responded by appointing their own commissioners (thereby explicitly rejecting

5046-527: The commissioners' powers and responsibilities in the NFL, NBA and NHL are not substantially different from those of the presidents that preceded them. Although baseball's subsequent commissioners have not had the absolute power that Landis did, former Commissioner Bud Selig has succeeded in centralizing authority over Major League Baseball in the commissioner's office, relegating the position of league president to an honorary title and giving baseball's commissioner competencies similar to those of his colleagues in

5133-406: The drafting of the speech at least to some extent and exercised final discretion as to its content. In modern constitutional monarchies , whether by law or by convention, the head of state or their representative reads the speech from the throne, but it is prepared by the ministers in cabinet . Of contemporary European monarchies today, this traditional event is held in the United Kingdom, where it

5220-451: The game's sole commissioner after he rebuffed their offer of a position at the head of a reformed commission. Baseball owners also gave Landis absolute power and a lifetime contract, which permitted the former judge to assume more power over the sport than a commissioner in any sport has held since. The other major professional sports leagues of North America followed suit, either replacing their positions of league president with that of

5307-418: The government's proposed policies, and spread over several days. When the Address in Reply is eventually voted on, the poll is held to constitute a motion of confidence in the government, which, if lost, would result in the end of that government's mandate. In some legislatures, this discussion and vote is preceded by a symbolic raising of other matters, designed to highlight the independence of parliament from

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5394-413: The governor's address was termed the Policy Address during Chris Patten 's governorship. In the Irish Free State , the governor-general delivered the Governor-General's Address to Dáil Éireann ; only two were ever given, in 1922 and 1923. In the Commonwealth realms , the speech from the throne is an oration that forms part of a ceremony marking the opening of parliament . Some records indicate

5481-442: The heads of some statewide departments are called "commissioners". In California , court commissioners are subordinate judicial officers granted many of the same authorities as judges, though not all. In some states certain municipalities may have a planning or zoning authority composed of local officials or members of the public. These authorities can be called commissions with the members addressed as "commissioners". In

5568-589: The institution well for its coming term rather than considering the plans of the executive. It is considered improper for the audience, including members of parliament, to show support or disapproval for any content of the speech while it is being read: that is reserved to the debate and vote that follows in legislative chambers or chamber. In 1998 in the UK, when the Queen read out the proposed House of Lords Act 1999 , Labour Party MPs briefly interrupted it by vocalising support while Conservative peers responded with "shame!". Protest, though, has been expressed during

5655-433: The ministers of the Union’s member states; each is assigned a portfolio under the authority of the president of the EU Commission, but they make important decisions collegially, often subject to approval by the European Parliament and/or the Council of the European Union , the two organs of the EU’s bicameral legislature. The French equivalent, commissaire , was used for various officials employed at different levels of

5742-407: The one legislative chamber. Unusually, in the Irish Free State, the speech was delivered in the lower house of its bicameral parliament. In the United Kingdom, the speech is typically read by the reigning sovereign at the State Opening of Parliament . Traditions surrounding the opening and the speech go back to the 16th century; the present ceremony dates from 1852, when the Palace of Westminster

5829-426: The oration on the sovereign's behalf: between 1347 and 1363, it was read by the chief justice; in 1401 by the chief justice of the Common Pleas ; in 1344, 1368, 1377 (speaking for a presiding Edward III ), 1399, and 1422, by the archbishop of Canterbury ; and in 1343, 1363, and, usually after 1368, by the lord chancellor who was then the prolocutor , or chairman of the House of Lords. It was given on his behalf by

5916-405: The other major sports. Many minor professional and amateur leagues throughout the United States and Canada have also appointed commissioners. The title has not caught on outside North America. In Great Britain, the title chief executive is used for the most closely equivalent position in that country's professional leagues. A key difference between the state of affairs in North America and Europe

6003-400: The owners of the league's clubs or board of directors/governors, and function as executive directors of the various owner's associations describing themselves as Leagues and handle matters such as discipline, arbitration of disputes between the clubs, etc. in the interests of the owners. The title was first used in 1920, when Kenesaw Mountain Landis was appointed Commissioner of Baseball in

6090-487: The past, the U.S. government-appointed special commissioners for a variety of tasks. For example, the head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture from 1862 to 1889 was a commissioner, not a Cabinet secretary. Until 1968, federal courts appointed commissioners to perform routine judicial duties such as taking testimony, taking bail, and even enforcing laws such as the Fugitive Slave Act . These commissioners were replaced by United States magistrates . In police services in

6177-403: The pension system was developing over time and for making recommendations on whether the pension system should move beyond the current voluntarist approach. The Commission published its First Report on 12 October 2004, setting out a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the UK pensions system. Their Second Report, published on 30 November 2005, presented its conclusions on the likely evolution of

6264-539: The police forces of the United States and the United Kingdom are respectively captain and superintendent. In firefighting services in the Commonwealth of Nations, the title of commissioner typically designates the head of an entire fire service in a particular jurisdiction, such as the commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service or the commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW , two separate fire authorities that operate within

6351-651: The private sector; for instance, many North American sports leagues. There is some confusion between commissioners and commissaries because other European languages use the same word for both. Therefore titles such as commissaire in French, Kommissar in German and comisario in Spanish or commissario in Italian, can mean either commissioner or commissary in English, depending on the context. A commissioner within

6438-405: The reader's participation, and outlines the legislative programme for the new parliamentary session. Due to the parliamentary tradition of the sovereign being barred from the lower chamber, in those realms possessing a bicameral parliament , the ceremony takes place in the legislature's upper chamber , with members of both houses in attendance. In unicameral parliaments, the speech is read in

6525-654: The reigning monarch is female). In Canada, it is known as the Speech from the Throne (often shortened to Throne Speech ) (in French: Discours du Trône ). Since 1973, the lieutenant governor of Quebec has delivered a short inaugural address termed the Allocution , after which the premier reads his or her Discours d'ouverture (Opening Speech), called the Message inaugural from 1974 to 1984. In Hong Kong ,

6612-473: The resignation of the league's second commissioner, Jeff Plush , shortly before the 2017 season. The NWSL's highest office was styled as "president" until the "commissioner" title was reinstated when Lisa Baird filled that post in 2020. Due to the unique ownership structure of the Professional Women's Hockey League , the organization has no current plans to appoint a commissioner. In general,

6699-474: The standards of the Boy Scouts of America. In some sports leagues , including all four North American professional major sports the commissioner is the highest executive position in the league. The exact powers of the commissioner depend on the constitution and/or rules of the league, and are invariably limited by State and Federal Law and collective bargaining agreements. Commissioners are elected by

6786-611: The territorial legislature and presenting commendations to Canadian Forces members for long-term or outstanding service to the office. Possible candidates for the position are selected by the Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments . The official appointment is made by the Governor General-in-Council (the federal government ). Senior public servants, commissioners and other high-ranking bureaucrats referred to collectively as mandarins . In

6873-440: The throne A speech from the throne , or throne speech , is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign, or their representative, reads a prepared speech to members of the nation's legislature when a session is opened. The address sets forth the government's priorities for its legislative agenda, for which the cooperation of the legislature is sought. The speech is often accompanied by formal ceremony. It

6960-626: The title agricultural attaché in 1939 when USDA's overseas officers were transferred to the Department of State. Noted American author Mark Twain recounted meeting one of the 19th-century roving agricultural commissioners in Innocents Abroad : I was proud to observe that among our excursionists were three ministers of the gospel, eight doctors, sixteen or eighteen ladies, several military and naval chieftains with sounding titles, an ample crop of "Professors" of various kinds, and

7047-616: The top Canadian football leagues then in existence (the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union and Western Interprovincial Football Union ) appointed commissioners in a bid to assert their leagues' independence from the NFL commissioner. When the two leagues formed an umbrella organization (the Canadian Football Council) in 1956, the posts of IRFU commissioner and WIFU commissioner were abolished and former WIFU Commissioner Sydney Halter

7134-525: Was George Scott Railton . Within the Scout Movement , a commissioner is a senior adult leader who is responsible for the management of an aspect of Scouting and/or the leadership of other adults, as opposed to adult leaders who lead youth members. Commissioners are district and council leaders who help Scout units succeed. They coach and consult with adult leaders of Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, and Venturing crews. Commissioners help maintain

7221-452: Was all unprepared for this crusher. I fell under that titular avalanche a torn and blighted thing. I said that if that potentate must go over in our ship, why, I supposed he must – but that to my thinking, when the United States considered it necessary to send a dignitary of that tonnage across the ocean, it would be in better taste, and safer, to take him apart and cart him over in sections in several ships. Ah, if I had only known then that he

7308-523: Was appointed commissioner of the CFC. When the CFC itself evolved into the modern Canadian Football League in 1958, Halter carried on in the office as that league's first commissioner. The National Basketball Association followed suit by appointing a commissioner in 1967, largely in response to a rival league that commenced play that year. The ABA did not recognize the NBA commissioner's authority and maintained its own commissioner's office until merging with

7395-428: Was not crowned, and thus did not wear the crown when opening the Riksdag. Instead, the crown and sceptre would be placed on cushions beside the throne and the robe would be draped on the throne. After the abolition of the opening ceremony at the palace, last held in 1974 and only once during the reign of Carl XVI Gustaf , the opening is now held at the Riksdag chamber in the presence of the monarch and his family. It

7482-573: Was only a common mortal, and that his mission had nothing more overpowering about it than the collecting of seeds and uncommon yams and extraordinary cabbages and peculiar bullfrogs for that poor, useless, innocent, mildewed old fossil the Smithsonian Institute [sic], I would have felt so much relieved. Following unification of the U.S. Foreign Service under the Rogers Act in 1924, overseas trade promotion shifted from consuls of

7569-591: Was rebuilt after the 1834 fire. The ceremony now usually occurs annually, usually in November or December, or soon after a general election. The monarch may, however, appoint a delegate to perform the task in his or her place. Elizabeth II did this during her pregnancies in 1959 and 1963, delivered instead by Lord Chancellor; and again due to ill health in 2022, delivered instead by Prince Charles (now Charles III ) who, along with Prince William , were acting as Counsellors of State . In those countries that share with

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