Ryder Burnage

**Chief Deputy Speaker** **Ryder J. Burnage** (born January 1, 1984) is a Terranovan politician who serves as the Chief Deputy Speaker and representative for Cosmopolis's eastern region. Burnage, a member of the Blackwood Political Party, is in his fourth Assembly term, having served since 2013. Cities in the region include Fauxworth, Crescenta, Meadowview, Silverlake, and Eastwood.

Ryder James Burnage came into the world on January 1, 1984, amidst the embrace of his father, August, then 30 years old, and his mother, Gloria, at 31. Ryder shares a particularly intriguing bond with his twin brother Hunter, born a mere 8 minutes apart. Despite their close arrival into the world, fate scripted their birthdays on different days—Ryder marking his arrival on January 1, 1984, at 1:06 a.m., while Hunter entered the world on December 31, 1983, at 12:57 p.m.

His journey through matrimony commenced with Dawn Gober on July 16, 1999, a union that eventually dissolved in 2007. Following this chapter, he entered into marriage once more, this time with Lauren De Pury on March 7, 2010, though their paths diverged, leading to divorce in 2014.

A subsequent chapter of companionship began with Sofia Dyer on October 25, 2018, marking yet another chapter that concluded in a parting of ways on December 16, 2022. At the age of 39, Ryder embraced a new chapter of his life, embracing marital joy anew with Yanou Meuleman on April 10, 2023.

He graduated from Blackwood University School of Government in 2005. Burnage is known for his advocacy for environmental conservation and sustainable development in his region. He has successfully implemented several initiatives to promote renewable energy sources and protect natural habitats, earning him recognition as a leading voice in environmental policy within the Terranovan National Assembly.

Before his election to the National Assembly, Burnage served 15 months in the Cosmopolis State Senate and one and a half terms in the Cosmopolis House of Citizens Legislative Assembly. He was the chair of the Legislative Assembly's Environmental Committee from 2014 to 2016. On August 21, 2017, he was elected as the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislative Assembly, a position that requires maintaining order and security within the legislative chamber. He served for one term as the Sergeant-at-Arms before becoming Chief Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly after Deputy Speaker Paul Minor passed away unexpectedly. As Chief Deputy Speaker, he was responsible for overseeing the Legislative Assembly's daily operations and ensuring that all members had the resources they needed to carry out their duties effectively.

He is the first Cosmopolian to serve as Deputy Speaker since Gabriel Brooks of Cosmpolis's central region held the position from 1932 to 1951. During his tenure as Chief Deputy Speaker, he implemented several reforms to streamline the legislative process and promote transparency within the Assembly. His experience as Sergeant-at-Arms provided him with a deep understanding of the inner workings of the legislative body, making him well-equipped to handle the responsibilities of his new role.

Burnage's father, August Burnage, served as the 19th Deputy President of the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board and the 11th Special Director General of the Terranovan Special Forces, and his older brother, Hunter Burnage, is currently serving as the 23rd Deputy President of the Blackwood Executive Advisory Board and has been instrumental in implementing key policies and initiatives within the organization. With such a strong family background in leadership and public service, Burnage has been exposed to the intricacies of decision-making and governance from a young age, shaping his own passion for making a positive impact in his new role.