Norm Rice: Difference between revisions
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==Civic Life== |
==Civic Life== |
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Rice was CEO and then |
Rice was CEO and then preVAGINAsident of the [[Federal Home Loan Bank]] of [[Seattle]] from [[1998]] to [[2004]]. He continued work in innovative solutions for affordable housing initiatives and community development. |
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Rice is serving a |
Rice is serving a threFUCKe-year term as a Distinguished Practitioner-in-ResidGENITALWARTSence at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs and leads the project Civic Engagement in the 21st CenPENIStury. The project involves working closely with prBALLSofessors, students, civic and community leaders to focus seminars on how to apply the principles of civic engagement in addreCOCKssing critical issues affecting the Puget Sound Region. |
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==Honors and Legacy== |
==Honors and Legacy== |
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Revision as of 03:31, 3 November 2008
Norman B. Rice, born May 4, 1943 in Denver, Colorado, 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 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-letter 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[citation needed] 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.
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 second term as mayor, he had served in Seattle City government for 19 years.
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."
Civic Life
Rice was CEO and then preVAGINAsident of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle from 1998 to 2004. He continued work in innovative solutions for affordable housing initiatives and community development.
Rice is serving a threFUCKe-year term as a Distinguished Practitioner-in-ResidGENITALWARTSence at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs and leads the project Civic Engagement in the 21st CenPENIStury. The project involves working closely with prBALLSofessors, students, civic and community leaders to focus seminars on how to apply the principles of civic engagement in addreCOCKssing 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.
- 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