US representative and senator, born in Los Chavez, New Mexico, USA. Although he never finished high school, he worked as a clerk in the US Senate and graduated from Georgetown University Law School (1920). He served in the US House of Representatives (Democrat, New Mexico, 19315) and in the US Senate (193562). An advocate of integrating minorities, he opposed Navajo Indian autonomy and proposed making English the language of Puerto Rico. He worked tirelessly to create the Fair Employment Practices Commission. New Mexico placed his statue in the US Capitol.
A Democratic politician from New Mexico, Dennis Chávez (April 8, 1888 - November 18, 1962) served in the United States House of Representatives, and in the United States Senate from 1935 to 1962.
Early life
Dionisio "Dennis" Chávez was born in Los Chaves, Valencia County, New Mexico. His parents, David and Paz Chávez, were members of families that had lived in Los Chávez for generations. In 1895, David Chávez moved his family to the Barelas section of Albuquerque where Dennis attended school until financial hardships necessitated that he work.
In 1911, Chávez married Imelda Espinosa, a member of a prominent New Mexico family.
Early political career
In 1922, Chávez ran successfully for the New Mexico state legislature; In 1930, he was elected as a Democratic candidate to New Mexico's then-only seat in the United States House of Representatives and was re-elected in 1932.
Senate career
Chávez was defeated by Bronson M. Cutting for a Senate seat in 1934, but when Cutting was killed in 1935 plane crash, Governor Clyde Tingley appointed Chávez to fill the vacant seat.
Accomplishments
Chávez was instrumental in improving higher educational facilities in New Mexico. Chávez co-sponsored the Fair Employment Practices Commission Bill (FEPC) which would have eliminated discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry in the work place.
In 1950 Chávez was among the first to express concern about his government’s methods of combating communism. From the floor of the Senate, Chávez criticized Senator Joseph McCarthy and his tactics. He called on the Senate to return to its standards of "decency, sanity and the basic principles of due process.”
Death
Chávez died in Washington D.
Legacy
He was the first native-born Hispanic elected to the U. Chávez was a minority politician in the Senate, at a time when his ethnicity was regarded with contempt and racism by many. He was also the first person born in New Mexico elected by the state to the Senate.
He accomplished many notable things, but the way New Mexicans remember him is perhaps the most impressive of all.
Monuments and memorials
Since his death, Chávez appeared on a commemorative stamp and is honored in the Capitol's Statuary Hall.
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Preceded by: Bronson M. Cutting |
Senator from New Mexico 1935—1962 |
Succeeded by: Edwin L. Mechem |
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Preceded by: Albert G. Simms |
Representative from New Mexico 1930—1934 |
Succeeded by: John J. |
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