Norman Sisisky

Norman Sisisky (June 9, 1927 – March 29, 2001) was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from Virginia from 1983 to 2001, representing the 4th District. He was a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition and one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress at the time.

Sisisky was born in Baltimore, Maryland but grew up in Richmond, Virginia. Upon graduating from high school, he served a four year tour of duty in the U.S. Navy. In 1946, he entered Virginia Commonwealth University, earning a business degree in 1949. Sisisky became a successful businessman, founding an independent bottling company that later became a part of Pepsi's Virginia operations. In 1973, Sisisky was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, serving for five terms.

In 1982, Sisisky was elected to Congress, defeating five-term incumbent Republican Robert Daniel. A fiscal disciplinarian, he aligned himself with the Democratic Party's Blue Dog coalition. He was a leading member of the Intelligence Committee and worked closely with the CIA.

Sisisky died of cancer while in office. A special election was held June 19, 2001 to fill his seat, and Republican State Senator Randy Forbes defeated Democratic State Senator Louise Lucas for the remainder of Sisisky's term; Forbes still holds the seat.

External links

• Norman Sisisky at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• http://www.mackler.net/tree/sisisky/