Drafter
Clerk 7/26/2007
Title
AN ORDINANCE renaming the regional justice center the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center as a memorial to the Honorable Norm Maleng, past King County Prosecuting Attorney.
Body
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. The Honorable Norm Maleng served as King County prosecutor during six terms of office, beginning in 1979 and winning reelection in 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006. In that period of service, he was a leader in the efforts to reform our criminal justice system and improve public safety on the local, state and national levels.
2. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng established a number of innovative programs within the Prosecuting Attorney's Office including a nationally-recognized sexual assault prosecution unit, a specialized homicide investigation and prosecution unit, a victim assistance unit, and a comprehensive domestic violence prosecution unit, including a system of advocacy for victims of domestic violence at the District Courts throughout King County. Norm also established Kids' Court, which helps child victims of sexual abuse understand the courtroom, and Drug Court, which offers first-time offenders an opportunity for a strict drug treatment program.
3. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng led legislative efforts in the state of Washington, which culminated in the passage of a number of critical bills, including restoration and expansion of the crime victim compensation system, and establishment of our state's presumptive sentencing system, which has brought uniformity and certainty to the state's criminal justice system.
4. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng chaired the Governor's Task Force on Community Protection in 1989. The task force recommendations became law and Washington's laws regarding registration, notification, and civil commitment of sex offenders have become national models.
5. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng worked to pass the Becca bill in 1995, which has re-enforced the state's truancy laws and established expectations for dealing with runaway children.
6. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng was a leader in the 1997 Juvenile Justice Act, which provides an improved framework to intervene in the life of a troubled youth.
7. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng led one of the largest law offices in the state with a total staff of over five hundred employees, including two hundred forty deputy prosecutors.
8. Prosecuting Attorney Maleng distinguished himself by earning his degree in Economics from the University of Washington in 1960 and his law degree from the University of Washington School of law in 1966 where he served as editor in chief of the law review. Upon graduation from law school Maleng was selected to serve as staff attorney for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, chaired by Senator Warren Magnuson. Maleng also served as a Lieutenant in the United States Army and worked in private practice in Seattle for three years before being appointed Chief Deputy of the Civil Division at the age of thirty-two.
9. While King County Prosecutor Maleng passed away on May 24, 2007, his contributions to the citizens of King County and his work as King County Prosecutor will remain with us.
10. We wish to recognize King County Prosecutor Maleng's significant service.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. We do hereby honor and memorialize Prosecuting Attorney Norm
Maleng by renaming the regional justice center the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center.
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