Fond of proclaiming he was "American before Plymouth Rock", 

Dennis Chávez traced his roots in the New World to a 17th century Spanish land grant. 

The son of David and Paz Sánchez,Dionisio, "Dennis," Chavez was born on April 8, 1888, in the rural community of Los Chávez, New Mexico.

In 1895, David moved his family of eight children to the Barelas
community near Alququerque. 

David's untimely death sent Dennis to work driving a grocery wagon at the age of 13 to help support the family. 

Despite leaving school, he continued his education after work at the city library, studying engineering and American history and politics. 

Thomas Jefferson ws a tremendous influence in Dennis' education. 

His self- taught engineering skills enabled him to become a surveyor and later assistant to the Albuquerque city engineer. 

Gaining the attention of Senator A.A. Jones, Dennis acted as a Spanish interpreter throughout the senator's 1916 campaign. He moved to Washington D.C. to work on the senator's staff following the election. 

Through the encouragement and support of Jones, Dennis was accepted to Georgetown University Law School after passing a special examination for admittance. 

Receiving his degree in 1920, Dennis returned to Albuquerque, 
opened a law practice and became active in local politics. 

Jefferson's political philosophy influenced Dennis' own personal 
belief in placing human rights over property rights. 

In 1922, Dennis was elected to the state House of Representatives, 
serving one term and sponsoring his first reform legislation--free textbooks for public school children.

Voters then elected him to the U.S. House of Represenatives 
in 1930 and 1932. 

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American Hispanics Contributions to America, Senator
Dennis Chavez