4674-00. Norm Rice

Record Group

Identifier: 4674-00

Staff Only

Norman B. Rice was born in Denver on May 4, 1943. He received his college education at the University of Washington, earning a bachelor's degree in communications and a Masters of Public Administration. Rice holds honorary degrees from Seattle University, the University of Puget Sound, and Whitman College. Before entering City government, he worked as a reporter at KOMO-TV News and KIXI radio, served as Assistant Director of the Seattle Urban League, was Executive Assistant and Director of Government Services for the Puget Sound Council of Governments, and was employed as the Manager of Corporate Contributions and Social Policy at Rainier National Bank. Beginning in 1978, Rice served eleven years on City Council, including a term as Council President; he also served as chair of the Energy and Finance and Budget Committees. Rice facilitated the development of more equitable cost allocation and rate design procedures for Seattle City Light as part of his work on the Energy Committee; his accomplishments on the Finance and Budget Committee included the passage of the Women and Minority Business Enterprise Ordinance and the elimination of City investments in firms doing business in South Africa. Norm Rice also worked to improve public safety in Seattle and advocated for the use of local funds to improve conditions for disadvantaged Seattle citizens. Rice was elected mayor of Seattle for the term beginning January 1, 1990, and served two full terms. He was the first African-American mayor in Seattle’s history. An important issue in his first mayoral race was mandatory busing of schoolchildren to improve integration in schools; schools and education continued to be an important issue throughout his tenure as mayor, including support for the Families and Education Levy. Downtown revitalization was also a top priority during his tenure as mayor. Rice ran for mayor a second time in 1993 and was re-elected. He also served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. After leaving office, Rice served as President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle from 1998 to 2004; he then became vice-chair of Capital Access, LLC, and a visiting professor at the University of Washington.

Creator: Rice, Norman B.

Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:

Norm Rice Subject Files

Series

Identifier: 4674-02

Abstract

Records documenting Norm Rice's eleven years on the Seattle City Council, 1978-1989; included are correspondence, memoranda, and reports relating to Rice's work on financial management, housing, public safety, and education, among other issues.

Dates: 1973-1992

Finance Committee Records

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 4674-03

Scope and Contents note

Records include committee agendas, correspondence, staff reports, and draft legislation relating to the financial management of the City during Rice's tenure as chair of the Finance Committee. Agendas include the legislation and issues under consideration and the committee's actions.

Dates: 1980-1984

Public Safety Committee Records

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 4674-04

Scope and Contents note

Records include committee agendas, correspondence, staff reports, and draft legislation relating to public safety issues during the first two years that Rice chaired the Public Safety Committee. Agendas include legislation under consideration and action and recommendations by the committee.

Dates: 1986-1987

Energy Committee Records

Series

Identifier: 4674-05

Scope and Contents note

Records include committee agendas, staff reports, correspondence, notes, and draft legislation relating to energy issues during Rice's tenure as chair of the Energy Committee.

Dates: 1987-1989

Norm Rice Speeches and Statements

Series — Box 1

Identifier: 4674-06

Scope and Contents note

Records include speeches and prepared statements delivered by Rice during his years on City Council. Includes Martin Luther King Jr. Day speeches and mayoral campaign speeches and policy statements.

Dates: 1984-1989