“I enjoyed my job because it was something I sort of grew up in. I didn’t have to learn it. I came into contact with some very important people and I enjoyed a certain respect from many people.”For five decades, Frank Narain had a front seat view of the political developments that shapedFrank Narainpre-independent Guyana, its eventual freedom from colonial rule, and its emergence as a new democratic nation.It was fraught with humour, fear, and even the downright ridiculous – but Narain never for a single day wanted to leave his job. Possessing a certain warmth and humility,Wholesale NFL Jerseys China, Narain served the country’s legislative body for 51 years until he retired in 2002.While the country’s political leaders made the headlines, Narain’s face was also at times plastered on the front page – and it was not just the pictures of him sitting besides powerful leaders who graced the National Assembly in the pre and post-independence periods.Narain’s position as Clerk of the National Assembly at times landed him in trouble, especially those times when he stuck to his guns.In May 1973, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Derek Jagan, wanted Narain fired from his post. The then Speaker of the House, Sase Narain from the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) was away, and Derek Jagan,Wholesale Jerseys, from the then opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was elevated to the post as acting Speaker.Derek Jagan instructed Narain to summon a meeting of the National Assembly, but Narain refused, saying he could not take Derek Jagan’s order, since it was usual for him to be advised by the government when to call the sitting.? The then Opposition Leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, wanted to discuss the flooding situation at the time, as a matter of public importance.Given Narain’s refusal, Derek Jagan, who would later become Speaker when the PPP took office in 1992, wrote the government asking for Narain’s head to roll. It never happened.The story made front page news in the then Guiana Graphic.Two years before than incident, Narain’s name had also featured in a screaming front page headline in the Guyana Graphic. As is customary, the two sides of the House would make a nomination for Speaker; but no one is allowed to justify their nomination.However, on this occasion, Dr. Jagan attempted to defend his nomination, but Narain stopped him in his tracks.? The Guyana Graphic reported that Narain looked straight at Dr. Jagan and laid down the rules.“I’m sorry, but there will be no debate on the nomination.”The Guyana Graphic reported what next happened: “Startled, upset, the wind taken out of his sails, Dr. Jagan could do nothing than sit down immediately.”But of course, Narain was showing up in newspapers long before that. One of the first pictures he features is on the front page of the December 10, 1958 issue of Guyana Graphic as the Governor, Sir Patrick Renison delivered his throne speech.And so, Narain came up close and personal with the political machinations in the country. He remembers once when the Mace, theFrank Narain being presented to Mrs Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India by Neville J. Bissember, Minister responsible for Parliamentary Affairs, October 13, 1968.authority for the Speaker, was hidden so Parliament could not convene; when Mrs. Janet Jagan sprinkled flour on the floors of the House to protest the banning of flour by then President Forbes Burnham; when an Opposition Member of Parliament willfully sat in the seat of the Prime Minister; and when Dr Cheddi Jagan pushed down his table in the House.Why, at times, letters of resignation were submitted to the Speaker by some Members of Parliament even without their knowledge! Narain reckons that parties had required Members of Parliament to sign an undated Letter of Resignation as one of the prerequisites for entering Parliament. So, once they dissented, all their parties did was attach a date to their letter of resignation and submit it. Of course,Wholesale NFL Jerseys, those to whom this was done had no knowledge until a meeting of the Assembly was called and the Speaker was making the announcement of having received a resignation.Of course, he has many more a story to tell, like when the Speaker stopped Mrs. Jagan from powdering her face in the House, telling her the Assembly was not the place to do that!Frank Narain’s emergence as arguably the longest serving Clerk of the National Assembly in Guyana, the Caribbean and the entire Commonwealth, came as a result of hard work, and a dedication to do his best, and as his wife would tell you, “to be thorough in everything” he does.Early lifeFrank Narain was born 80 years ago at 149 Pike Street, Kitty, where his maternal grandparents lived.? His father, Thomas Frank Narain, worked with the postal service, while his mother, Clarice Alicia