Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks has been elected as president of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

It's the first time since the founding of the association in 1952 that a prosecutor from Island County has held the post of president. Banks will take over as president in January 2009.

"For me, it is a great honor and a privilege to lead this important organization," Banks said.

Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys is a nonprofit and non-partisan service organization whose membership consists of the 39 elected county prosecutors in Washington. The presidency of the association is a one-year term.

The association's mission is to provide a voice regarding criminal justice issues at the local, state and national level.

The past presidents of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys include a Who's who of the state's most accomplished prosecutors and lawyers, including former King County prosecutor Norm Maleng and U.S. Attorney Jeff Sullivan.

"For that, it is pretty humbling that those same prosecutors have selected me to carry the mantle of the association," Banks said. "I will do my best to live up to their high standards."

Banks said 2009 promises to be a tough year in the Legislature because of the financial challenges that will face state and local governments.

"WAPA will work hard to protect vital public safety functions of local government," he said.

In anticipation of the demands of the association, Banks has stepped down from some of his other committee assignments, including the Judicial Information Systems Committee and the Judicial Information Network - two statewide organizations controlling court and law enforcement computer information systems.

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