A House Whip is a member of the United States House of Representatives who is responsible for ensuring that members of their party vote in line with the partys position on legislation. The term "whip" comes from a fox-hunting expression, "whipper-in," referring to the member of the hunting team responsible for keeping the dogs from straying from the team during a chase). The House Whip is a member of the partys leadership team and is responsible for counting heads and rounding up party members for votes and quorum calls. They also occasionally stand in for the majority or minority leaders in their absence. The House Whip serves as a two-way bridge between the leadership and the rank-and-file. They provide a communications network for the party members and mobilize them for important party measures coming up for a vote. The first Democratic Whip was appointed in 1899 when Democratic Leader James D. Richardson of Tennessee chose Oscar Underwood of Alabama. For much of its history, the Democratic Whip has been appointed by the Democratic Leader. Beginning with Tony Coelho of California in 1986, the party Whip has been elected by the organizing caucus of Democratic Representatives-elect just prior to the start of a new Congress. If the position becomes vacant during a Congress, a new Whip is elected at a subsequent meeting.