Norm Rice
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'''Norman B. Rice''', born [[May 4]], [[1943]] in [[Denver, Colorado]], was the [[List of mayors of Seattle|49th mayor]] of [[Seattle, Washington]], serving two terms from 1989-1997. Rice was [[Seattle]]'s first and to date only [[African-American]] mayor. In his public and civic career, he has built partnerships with numerous constituencies in the region to build a stronger city. While leading the rejuvenation of downtown, he also has worked to ensure accessibility of affordable housing.
==Early Life==
Rice came to Seattle for college and made a lifetime commitment to the city. He graduated from the [[University of Washington]] 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]], the first intercollegiate [[Greek alphabet|Greek-letter]] [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternity]] established by African Americans. In 1975, he married Dr. Constance Williams, an educator who has been highly prominent in civic life in Seattle, and is the father of Mian Rice.
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]]. As Executive Assistant and Director of Government Services for the Puget Sound [[Council of Governments]], he collaborated with elected and career officials across the region. As Manager of Corporate Contributions and Social Policy at Rainier National Bank, he worked at public-private partnerships to ensure the best allocation of funds.
==Political Life==
Rice was first elected to the [[Seattle City Council]] 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]]. Rice also worked to improve public safety in Seattle and advocated for the use of local funds to improve conditions for disadvantaged Seattle citizens.
He ran for mayor in [[1985]], but lost to the popular [[Charles Royer]]. Rice ran again in [[1989]] in a crowded field after frontrunner{{Fact|date=November 2007}} city attorney Doug Jewett supported an initiative limiting school busing as a remedy to segregation. Rice won handily against Jewett, 99,699 to 75,446. He was easily re-elected in 1993.
In 1996, he ran for the Democratic nomination for Governor, but he was defeated by then-[[King County, Washington|King County]] Executive [[Gary Locke (politician)|Gary Locke]].
During the technology boom of the 1990s, Rice led the rejuvenation of Seattle's downtown, including improvements to public transportation and overseeing new development. He also served as President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. When Rice completed his term as mayor, he had served in Seattle City government for 19 years.
In 1997, Rice made a guest appearance as himself on an episode of ''[[Frasier]]'', entitled "The 1000th Show."
==Civic Life==
Rice was president of the [[Federal Home Loan Bank]] of [[Seattle]] from [[1998]] to [[2004]]. He continued work in innovative solutions for affordable housing initiatives.
Rice is currently 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 Civic Engagement in the 21st Century project. The project involves working closely with professors, students, civic and community leaders to focus seminars on how to apply the principles of civic engagement in addressing critical issues affecting the Puget Sound Region.
==Honors and Legacy==
Rice has been awarded honorary degrees by [[Seattle University]], the [[University of Puget Sound]], and [[Whitman College]].
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{{succession box | before = [[Charles Royer]] | title = [[List of mayors of Seattle|Mayor of Seattle]] | years = 1990 – 1997 | after = [[Paul Schell]]}}
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==External links==
*[http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv99875 Guide to the Norm Rice City Council Subject Files 1973-1992]
*[http://nwda-db.wsulibs.wsu.edu/findaid/ark:/80444/xv57123 Guide to the Mayor Norm Rice Photographs 1990-1997]
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[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:University of Washington alumni]]
[[Category:Mayors of Seattle, Washington]]
[[Category:African American politicians]]