Biography

Since his first day in Congress, Norm has served on the highly-coveted House Appropriations Committee where he currently serves as the third-ranking member. Following the 2006 election and the subsequent Democratic takeover of Congress, Norm was chosen as the Chairman of the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. In that influential position, Norm has continued to exercise decisive leadership on issues such as the environment, natural resource policies, and Indian Affairs. Along with these critical posts, Norm serves on two other important funding committees—Defense, Interior and Environment, and Military Construction/Veteran Affairs—and the Homeland Security Committee.

These committee assignments combined with his energetic legislative style have helped create jobs and spur growth in Norm’s district and across Washington State. Norm helped secure the Urban Development Action Grants and other federal aid to the Tacoma, Bremerton and waterfront areas, money that went towards transforming Tacoma’s Union Station into a federal courthouse, as well as installing a branch of the University of Washington in Tacoma. Such development exemplifies Norm’s continuing advocacy for the development of new infrastructure.

In Bremerton, Norm has worked with the Navy and other local community organizations to construct new housing and provide incentives that have improved existing property in the area. In his effort to restore and rejuvenate the downtown Bremerton area, he worked with stakeholders on the ongoing creation of a waterfront retail center which has improved the urban core of Bremerton for Navy personnel, Kitsap County families, and visitors alike.

Using his legislative knowledge and negotiating experience, Norm aided Pierce County, the City of Tacoma and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians in reaching a landmark settlement that reconciled both parties’ issues concerning land use and property rights. With Norm’s leadership, Congress passed and the President enacted legislation that adopted the agreement and secured substantial federal funding central to the resolution of the dispute.

In the highway reauthorization bill, Norm created a separate federal program for ferry system funding. This legislation has helped the ongoing development of fast passenger ferry service between Bremerton and Seattle.

Thanks to his ability to work in a bipartisan basis, Norm has achieved great success in working on important national and international security issues. Beginning in the 1980s and 90s, Norm began a career of significant leadership in the areas of Soviet and Chinese arms and defense programs. It earned him the role of Ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence committee in 1995. After completing his service on the committee three years later, Norm received the CIA Director’s Medal.

The Pacific Northwest is one of the most beautiful, fertile and biologically developed areas of the country—home to many important wildlife areas and forests. Norm has worked diligently to preserve our natural heritage, which he not only represents in Congress but enjoys as a resident. He worked directly with the Clinton-Gore administration in bringing federal aid to west coast states to directly address the listings of threatened Northwest salmon runs. In September of 2000, Norm spearheaded the passage of milestone legislation that created a federal lands conservation trust, which doubled the nation’s commitment to preservation of threatened parkland.

In his personal life, Norm is married to Suzanne Callison Dicks. Norm and Suzie have two children, David and Ryan and one grandchild.