State Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) took office as president-elect of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) at the organization's recent annual meeting in New Orleans and will serve as president of the organization for 2009.

Balfour, who was chosen by more than 8,600 colleagues, has served in the Georgia Senate for nearly 20 years. According to the Georgia Senate press office, he is the first legislator from Georgia to be elected to NCSL office since the organization was formed in 1975. He will become president at NCSL's meeting next year in Philadelphia.

"It is a great honor for me to serve as president of one of the most influential legislative organizations in the country," said Sen. Balfour, who is chairman of the Senate Rules Committee. "I have enjoyed serving as vice president this past year, and I look forward to stepping into my role as president to help further the success of NCSL."

During this year's week-long conference, Sen. Balfour was chosen to preside over a panel discussion on America's toughest challenges, featuring former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and others.

Balfour served on the NCSL Executive Committee as an at-large member. The last member of the Georgia General Assembly to serve on the NCSL Executive Committee was the late Sen. Paul D. Coverdell, who served in the state Senate until 1992 when he was elected to the U.S. Senate, according to the Senate press office.

The National Conference of State Legislatures is a bipartisan organization that serves legislators and staff from all 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues.

"To be elected NCSL president is a great honor for Don and for the state of Georgia," said President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah).

"I have been honored to work with Don in representing the Gwinnett area since I came to the Senate," said Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford). "He has served his constituents well in the Senate and will continue to do so on a much larger scale as NCSL president, by giving Georgia a stronger voice within national politics."