Norman Sisisky Papers, 1982-2001

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Papers, 1982-2001, of Norman Sisisky (1927-2001), who represented Virginia's Fourth District in the United States House of Representatives. Includes legislative and project files, computer letter texts, press clippings and releases, speeches, campaign files, miscellaneous files, photographs, and special media.

Biographical / historical:

Norman Sisisky was born on 9 June 1927 in Baltimore. His family moved to Richmond, Virginia during the Great Depression. He graduated from John Marshall High School and enlisted in the Navy during World War II, serving through the end of 1946. At the completion of his service in the Navy, Sisisky returned to Richmond, where he enrolled in what today is known as Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1949, he received a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Sisisky married Rhoda Brown on 12 June 1949. Before being elected to Congress in November 1982, Norman Sisisky was a businessman. He transformed a small Pepsi bottling company in Petersburg into a highly successful distributor of soft drinks throughout Southside Virginia. Norman Sisisky was elected to public office for the first time in 1973 as Delegate to Virginia's General Assembly representing Petersburg. He served five consecutive terms in the General Assembly before his election to Congress. In 1982, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Virginia's Fourth District. Congressman Sisisky was a member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Committee on Small Business. Sisisky was also a member of the "Blue Dog Coalition," and worked to break partisan logjams on issues such as deficit reduction and campaign finance reform. Norman Sisisky died at his home in Petersburg, Virginia on 29 March 2001. He is buried in Temple Beth-El cemetery in Richmond.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Rhoda B. Sisisky, Richmond.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • I. Legislative Files.
  • II. Project Files.
  • III. Computer Letter Texts.
  • IV. Press Clippings.
  • V. Press Releases.
  • VI. Speeches.
  • VII. Campaign Files.
  • VIII. Miscellaneous Files.
  • IX. Photographs.
  • X. Special Media.
Physical description:
46.5 cubic feet (101 boxes)