Chavez << SHAH vehz >>, Dennis (1888-1962), a Democrat, became the second Hispanic American to serve in the United States Senate. He represented New Mexico in the Senate from 1935 to 1962. The first Hispanic senator, Octaviano Larrazolo, served in 1928 and 1929. As a U.S. senator, Chavez worked for laws that aided such minorities as Hispanic Americans and American Indians. For example, he was an early supporter of federal fair employment laws. Many Hispanics and Indians live in New Mexico.
Chavez was born on April 8, 1888, in Los Chavez, New Mexico, south of Albuquerque. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931 to 1935, when he was appointed to fill out a term in the Senate. He won election to the Senate five times between 1936 and 1958. He died on Nov. 18, 1962. A statue of Chavez represents New Mexico in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
