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| Mayor Norman Rice | |
|---|---|
| Name | Norman Rice |
| Birth date | 1943-02-04 |
| Birth place | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Death date | 2009-10-21 |
| Death place | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Office | Mayor of Seattle |
| Term start | 1990 |
| Term end | 1998 |
| Predecessor | Norm Rice |
| Successor | Paul Schell |
| Party | Democratic Party |
Mayor Norman Rice Norman Berry Rice (February 4, 1943 – October 21, 2009) was an American politician and civic leader who served as the 49th mayor of Seattle from 1990 to 1998. Rice's career connected local institutions such as Seattle and King County with national organizations including the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and he engaged with figures from Bill Clinton to Al Gore on urban policy and economic development. His tenure intersected with major events and entities such as the World Trade Organization, the 1990s economic expansion, and regional projects like Sound Transit.
Rice was born in Seattle and raised in the Central District alongside contemporaries in an era shaped by civil rights struggles involving leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations such as the NAACP. He attended Garfield High School before matriculating at Seattle University and later studying public administration with connections to programs at institutions like the University of Washington. Influences included local activists and educators tied to Bartlett High School alumni and civic groups affiliated with King County leadership.
Rice began his professional life in community organizations linked to development efforts in Seattle and worked with labor groups such as the AFL–CIO and community development corporations involved with the Central Area. He served on boards and commissions associated with cultural institutions like the Seattle Art Museum and civic entities connected to Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical Center. Rice cultivated relationships with politicians from the Democratic Party including legislators in the Washington State Legislature and regional planners involved with Puget Sound initiatives.
Rice was elected to the Seattle City Council where he engaged with councilmembers and municipal departments interacting with agencies such as the King County Council and officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation. His mayoral campaign built coalitions with unions, neighborhood groups, and local business organizations including the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and philanthropic partners linked to foundations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The campaign also intersected with media outlets such as the Seattle Times and fundraising networks connected to national political figures like Ronald Reagan critics and Democratic National Committee operatives.
As mayor, Rice worked with federal administrations including the Clinton administration and regional bodies such as the Puget Sound Regional Council to advance infrastructure, housing, and transportation projects. He partnered with transit advocates associated with Sound Transit and supported cultural investments involving the Seattle Art Museum and performance venues that hosted performers represented by unions like the American Federation of Musicians. Rice's administration negotiated with business leaders from corporations headquartered in Seattle such as executives linked to Boeing and the burgeoning technology sector associated with companies similar to Microsoft.
Rice championed downtown revitalization projects tied to zoning and development authorities like the Seattle Department of Planning and Development and public-private partnerships with entities such as the Port of Seattle. He promoted transit expansions connected to the planning work of Sound Transit and affordable housing programs implemented with partners including the Seattle Housing Authority and community development organizations involved with the National Low Income Housing Coalition. Rice supported cultural and sports investments that engaged franchises and arenas similar to collaboration with teams in the National Basketball Association and events comparable to the Goodwill Games.
Rice's administration navigated disputes over policing and public safety involving the Seattle Police Department and oversight bodies that involved debates similar to those seen with the Civil Rights Movement era complaints and national civil liberties organizations. He faced criticism over development projects that provoked opposition from neighborhood groups and preservationists connected to the Historic Seattle and environmental advocates from organizations like the Sierra Club. Economic pressures during the 1990s brought conflicts with labor unions such as the Service Employees International Union and business coalitions represented by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
After leaving office Rice remained active with civic institutions, serving on boards linked to regional agencies like the Seattle Foundation and advocacy efforts with national groups including the U.S. Conference of Mayors. His legacy was examined by journalists at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and scholars at universities such as the University of Washington and commentators from think tanks like the Brookings Institution. Rice's contributions are remembered in the context of Seattle's transformation during the late 20th century alongside other municipal leaders and organizations that shaped the Pacific Northwest.
Category:Mayors of Seattle Category:1943 births Category:2009 deaths