“Because I have a leadership position in the PPP,Cheap Stitched MLB Jerseys, the challenge as Speaker of the National Assembly is ensuring that all sides develop and maintain confidence in my management of the business of the House and that all parties are given a fair shake.“Judging from the fact that both sides of the House are at times unhappy with me, I believe I am succeeding.” Most are accustomed to seeing him perched majestically in his regal seat where from his panoramic position he presides over the proceedings of the National Assembly.Others know of his prowess, dexterity and efficiency in the legal fraternity and the courtroom over the last thirty years which has caused him to be part of countless prominent cases.Everyone he has come into contact with can attest to his humble, down to earth, unassuming nature and his infectious personality.Speaker of the National Assembly Mr Ralph RamkarranBut few may know of Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s immense role over the last forty years in fighting to bring about political, democratic, constitutional and parliamentary reforms in Guyana.In his role as Speaker and Chair of the Parliamentary Management Committee, Mr. Ramkarran has presided over the widest and most extensive body of reforms to the National Assembly in its history, which have significantly enhanced its role in governance in Guyana.He was elected unopposed as Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana in 2001 and again in 2006.He was an elected member of the National Assembly in 1997 and resigned in early 2001 to become a member of the Guyana Elections Commission to assist in managing the elections of that year.He had previously served on the Commission for the 1973, 1992 and 1997 general elections and the 1994 local government elections.While serving as a member of the National Assembly,Wholesale World Cup Jerseys, he was elected as Chair of the bi-partisan Constitution Reform Commission,Wholesale Authentic Jerseys, the report of which was unanimously adopted by the National Assembly and formed the basis of extensive reforms to the Constitution and the National Assembly.Ralph Ramkarran at work in his Cameron and Shepherd officeMr. Ramkarran qualified as a lawyer in 1972 in the United Kingdom as a member of Gray’s Inn and returned to Guyana the following year when he entered private practice.He joined the law firm of Cameron & Shepherd, Guyana’s oldest, largest and best known, in 1977 and is now its senior partner. He became a Senior Counsel in 1996.Immediately upon his return to Guyana he became deeply involved in political activities and as the only lawyer in the PPP leadership at that time, he became involved in the defence of dozens of youths, mainly from the sugar estate and PPP activists, who were consistently charged and placed before the courts on public order charges as a form of continuous harassment.The highlight of this activity was his role in the defence of Arnold Rampersaud who was framed on a murder charge and tried three times in 1976, 1977 and 1978, eventually being acquitted after international interest and condemnation. He has since appeared for the PPP and the Government in many important constitutional and elections cases including in relation to the last general elections in 2006.Mr. Ramkarran has spoken and lectured widely on behalf of the PPP and was the editor of its official journal, the Thunder, between 1992 and 2002. He was elected to the PPP’s Central and Executive Committees in 1974 and 1975 respectively and remains a member of both.Over the years he has demonstrated that despite his prestige , he is a ‘people’s person’.In those early years he worked with the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union as a legal advisor and member of its executive committee.In this February 2005 photo, President Bharrat Jagdeo (right) and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva flank Speaker Ralph Ramkarran in Parliament.Since that time he continues his work of lecturing and participating in meeting with workers, party members and supporters all over Guyana. He continues to do this whenever the opportunity is afforded.In 1994 he was elected as the Guyana Facilitator to the United Nations Good Officer Process under the Geneva Agreement relating to the Guyana-Venezuela Border controversy. He has met under the aegis United Nations Good Officer since that time. During this period relations with Venezuela has remained stable and have in fact improved.Mr. Ramkarran was elected to the Council of the Guyana Bar Association in 1979 and served for twelve years as Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Secretary.During this period the Guyana Bar Association was very active and outspoken in promoting free and fair elections, fundamental rights of citizens including freedom of speech and freedom from arbitrary police action. Back then the Guyana Bar