Profession businessman Resigned March 29, 2001 | Preceded by W. Roy Smith Preceded by Clauder Anderson Name Norman Sisisky | |
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Role Former United States Representative Previous office Representative (VA 4th District) 1983–2001 |
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.
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Biography
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 in Petersburg 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 lung 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.