Norm Rice
Encyclopedia
Norman Blann Rice was the 49th mayor of Seattle, Washington
, serving two terms from 1989-1997. Rice was Seattle's first, and to date only, African-American mayor.
in Seattle, earning a bachelor's degree in communications and a Masters of Public Administration from the university's Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs
. He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity. In 1975, he married Dr. Constance Williams.
Before entering City government, Rice worked as a reporter at KOMO-TV News and KIXI radio. He then served as Assistant Director of the Seattle Urban League. He then worked as Executive Assistant and Director of Government Services for the Puget Sound Council of Governments
.
in 1978 to fill a vacancy. He was reelected in 1979, 1983 and 1987, serving eleven years in all. He served as chair of the Energy and Finance and Budget Committees, and was Council President for one term. 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
.
He ran for mayor in 1985, but lost to Charles Royer
. Rice ran again in 1989 in a crowded field and won 99,699 to 75,446. He was re-elected in 1993.
During the technology boom of the 1990s, Rice led the rejuvenation of Seattle's downtown. He also served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
In 1996, Rice ran in the Democratic primary for Governor, but he was defeated by then-King County
Executive Gary Locke.
In 1997, Rice made a guest appearance as himself on an episode of Frasier
, entitled "The 1000th Show."
Rice was CEO and then president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle from 1998 to 2004.
Rice is serving a three-year term as a Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence at the University of Washington
’s Evans School of Public Affairs and leads the project Civic Engagement in the 21st Century.
In June 2009, Rice was named CEO of the non-profit Seattle Foundation. In December 2010, he was nominated as one of 30 members for a two-year appointment in the White House Council for Community Solutions
, created by Executive Order of President Barack Obama
.
, Seattle University
, the University of Puget Sound
, and Whitman College
.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, serving two terms from 1989-1997. Rice was Seattle's first, and to date only, African-American mayor.
Early life
Rice graduated from the University of WashingtonUniversity of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in Seattle, earning a bachelor's degree in communications and a Masters of Public Administration from the university's Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs
Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs
The Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington in Seattle is a school of public policy in the Northwest....
. He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity. In 1975, he married Dr. Constance Williams.
Before entering City government, Rice worked as a reporter at KOMO-TV News and KIXI radio. He then served as Assistant Director of the Seattle Urban League. He then worked as Executive Assistant and Director of Government Services for the Puget Sound Council of Governments
Council of Governments
Councils of governments are regional bodies that exist throughout the United States. They are also sometimes called regional councils, regional commissions, regional planning commissions, planning district commissions, and development districts...
.
Political life
Rice was first elected to the Seattle City CouncilSeattle City Council
The Seattle City Council is committed to ensuring that Seattle, Washington, is safe, livable and sustainable. Nine Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections and represent the entire city, elected by all Seattle voters....
in 1978 to fill a vacancy. He was reelected in 1979, 1983 and 1987, serving eleven years in all. He served as chair of the Energy and Finance and Budget Committees, and was Council President for one term. Rice facilitated the development of more equitable cost allocation and rate design procedures for Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light is the public utility providing electrical power to Seattle, Washington and parts of its metropolitan area, including all of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park and parts of unincorporated King County, Burien, Normandy Park, Seatac, Renton, and Tukwila...
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
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
He ran for mayor in 1985, but lost to Charles Royer
Charles Royer
Charles Royer was the 48th mayor of Seattle, Washington from 1978 to 1990. After serving as mayor of Seattle, Royer became the director of the Harvard Institute of Politics.-Career as a reporter:...
. Rice ran again in 1989 in a crowded field and won 99,699 to 75,446. He was re-elected in 1993.
During the technology boom of the 1990s, Rice led the rejuvenation of Seattle's downtown. He also served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
In 1996, Rice ran in the Democratic primary for Governor, but he was defeated by then-King County
King County, Washington
King County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. The population in the 2010 census was 1,931,249. King is the most populous county in Washington, and the 14th most populous in the United States....
Executive Gary Locke.
In 1997, Rice made a guest appearance as himself on an episode of Frasier
Frasier
Frasier is an American sitcom that was broadcast on NBC for eleven seasons, from September 16, 1993, to May 13, 2004. The program was created and produced by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee in association with Grammnet and Paramount Network Television.A spin-off of Cheers, Frasier stars...
, entitled "The 1000th Show."
Civic life
Rice is serving a three-year term as a Distinguished Practitioner-in-Residence at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
’s Evans School of Public Affairs and leads the project Civic Engagement in the 21st Century.
In June 2009, Rice was named CEO of the non-profit Seattle Foundation. In December 2010, he was nominated as one of 30 members for a two-year appointment in the White House Council for Community Solutions
White House Council for Community Solutions
The White House Council for Community Solutions was created by executive order of US President Barack Obama on December 14, 2010. Under the terms of the order, the Council will be dissolved within two years unless its establishment is affirmed by the president at that time.Its mission as stated in...
, created by Executive Order of President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
.
Honors and Legacy
Rice has been awarded honorary degrees by Cornish College of the ArtsCornish College of the Arts
-Library:The library at Cornish College specializes in art, dance, design, music, performance production, and theatre. As of 2011 it holds 4700 CDs, 40,000 books, has 2,200 videos, and subscribes to 154 periodicals...
, Seattle University
Seattle University
Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, USA.SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member...
, the University of Puget Sound
University of Puget Sound
The University of Puget Sound is a private liberal arts college located in the North End of Tacoma, Washington, in the United States...
, and Whitman College
Whitman College
Whitman College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian, residential undergraduate liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, Washington. Initially founded as a seminary by a territorial legislative charter in 1859, the school became a four year degree granting institution in 1883...
.
- Municipal League of King County’s James. R. Ellis Regional Leadership Award (with John Stanton)
- The American Jewish Federation’s Human Relations Award (with wife Constance Rice)
- National Neighborhood Coalition’s National Award for Leadership on Behalf of Neighborhoods
- King County Chapter of the YWCA’s Isabel Coleman Pierce Award
- Washington Council on Crime and Delinquency’s Mark F. Cooper Leadership Award
- American Association of Community College Students’ Outstanding Alumni Award