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Norman B. Rice papers, 1948-2017

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Rice, Norman B.
Title
Norman B. Rice papers
Dates
1948-2017 (inclusive)
Quantity
29.82 cubic feet, (35 boxes, 2 oversize folders, and 1 rolled tube; includes 33 video cassettes, 3 dvd, 18 cd, 20 audio cassettes, 1 3.5 in floppy disk, and 1 memory card)
Collection Number
6294
Summary
Papers, awards, photographs, media, and ephemera from the first African-American mayor in Seattle's history
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access. All media have been digitized and are available in the Special Collections Reading Room. Transcripts for select recordings are available in Box 34.

Request at UW

Languages
Collection materials are in English.
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Biographical Note

Norman B. Rice (Mayor of Seattle 1990-1997) was born in Denver, Colorado 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 school children 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.

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Content Description

Background political papers, framed honors, plaques, photographs, clippings, scrapbooks, camera with SD card, books, correspondence, photo albums, posters, VHS tapes, DVDs, CDs, cassettes, and related ephemera.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries Special Collections.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series.

  • Series 1, Personal and Professional papers, 1970-2015
  • Series 2, Photographs and Albums
  • Series 3, Awards and Recognitions, 1961-2014
  • Series 4, Books, 1958-2014
  • Series 5, Ephemera, 1982-2006

Acquisition Information

Donated by Norman Rice 2019-06-03 and 2019-08-09.

Processing Note

Processed by Jessica Curry and Tracy Nishimoto 2022-2023.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Mayors--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Albums (Books)
  • Awards
  • Commemorative plaques
  • Periodicals
  • Photograph albums
  • Photographs
  • Posters
  • Video recordings

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Rice, Norman B.--Archives


2019 (Last modified: 6/28/2023)

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