AMERICUS — Georgia House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) is the featured speaker at a Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) convocation at 11 a.m. Sept. 29. Set in Jackson Performance Hall, the convocation is free and open to the public.

Ralston was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1992, and served until 1998, when he won the Republican nomination for attorney general of Georgia. In 2002, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives to serve the citizens of the seventh district, which includes the counties of Fannin and Gilmer and part of Dawson. On Jan. 11, 2010, Ralston was elected Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

As a member of the Georgia House, Ralston has served on the following committees: Appropriations, Rules, Transportation, Governmental Affairs, Judiciary (vice chair) and Judiciary Non-Civil (chair). His support in the House was a key component for GSW to secure state funding for its Health and Human Sciences Complex. Groundbreaking for the complex is scheduled for 2012.

"We are excited about the Speaker's visit and grateful to Representative Mike Cheokas for making his visit possible," said GSW President Kendall Blanchard. "Representative Ralston's leadership has already made a difference in the state legislature. His influence was important to the University's getting $6.5 million this year for the construction of Phase I of the Health and Human Sciences Complex. We appreciate his support of Georgia Southwestern and look forward to his comments at this special convocation."

Ralston was born in Ellijay where he graduated from Gilmer County High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from North Georgia College and State University and later a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Aside from his legislative duties, Ralston is an attorney in Blue Ridge. His civic activities include participation with the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and the Blue Ridge Lions Club.

Ralston and his wife Jane have two children, Elizabeth and Matt.

— Staff Reports