Dennis Chávez Papers
Collection
Identifier: MSS 394 BC
Scope and Content
The Dennis Chávez Papers are comprised of material from Chávez' career as a politician. This includes his tenure in the New Mexico State Legislature, as well as in the United States Congress, where he was involved in such areas as Indian affairs, labor, the Post Office, the Defense Department, Latin American issues, and New Deal programs. The collection contains personal and congressional papers and correspondence (including materials relating to Senator Joseph McCarthy), photographs, news clippings, publications, maps, reports, legislation, press releases, scrapbooks, and memorabilia. Also included are project files on New Mexico counties and subject files on agriculture, mining and water resources, among other topics. The Dennis Chávez Papers are divided into eight overlapping series.
- INVENTORY PART 1
- Series I: Correspondence (1923-1962)
- Series II: Political (1921-1962)
- Series III: Legislation (1936-1962)
- INVENTORY PART 2
- Series IV: Departments (1928-1962)
- Series V: Press Releases (1936-1962)
- Series VI: News Clips/ Scrapbooks (1932-1962)
- Series VII: Projects (1930-1962)
- Series VIII: Case Files (1931-1962) *restricted access*
There is an oversized folder containing three items. Publications are scattered within the different series. Most materials in the collection are in English, however, some materials are in Spanish. The majority of photographs have been transferred to the Center for Southwest Research Photoarchives.
For the second half of the contents list see Finding Aid of the Dennis Chávez Papers, Part 2
For the second half of the contents list see Finding Aid of the Dennis Chávez Papers, Part 2
Dates
- 1921-1963
- Majority of material found in 1930-1962
Creator
- Chavez, Dennis, 1888-1962 (Person)
Language of Materials
English.
Access Restrictions
Case-work files are restricted.
Boxes 64, 65, (McCarthy) must be accessed via microfilm. Boxes 78-83 (FEPC, Indian Affairs) must be accessed via microfilm or digital files are available on cd, located in box .
Boxes 64, 65, (McCarthy) must be accessed via microfilm. Boxes 78-83 (FEPC, Indian Affairs) must be accessed via microfilm or digital files are available on cd, located in box .
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biographical Information
Dennis Chávez (christened "Dionicio") was born in Los Chávez, Valencia County, New Mexico on April 8, 1888. His parents, David and Paz (Sanchez) 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 go to work. His first job was delivering groceries at the Highland Grocery store. Later on, he studied engineering and surveying at night and worked as an engineer for the City of Albuquerque for several years.
In 1911, Chávez married Imelda Espinosa, a member of a prominent New Mexico family. In 1914, they moved to Belen. He worked briefly as editor of a Belen weekly newspaper, as a court interpreter, and as a private contractor until 1916, when he obtained temporary employment as a Spanish interpreter for Senator A. A. Jones' reelection campaign. In 1918, he was offered a position as assistant executive clerk of the Senate in Washington, D.C. by Senator Jones. He accepted this position, passed a special admission exam at Georgetown University Law School and studied law at night. He graduated from Georgetown in 1920 and returned to Albuquerque to establish a law practice.
In 1922, Chávez ran successfully for the New Mexico state legislature. In 1930, he was elected as the Democratic candidate to the U. S. House of Representatives; in 1932, he became chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs. Chávez was defeated by Bronson Cutting for a Senate seat in 1934, but when Cutting was killed in 1935, Governor Clyde Tingley appointed Chávez to fill the vacant seat. He was elected to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term in 1936, and was re-elected in 1940, 1946, 1952, and 1958.
Chávez was instrumental in improving higher educational facilities in New Mexico. He actively supported legislation to benefit farmers and protect New Mexico's share of water from the Colorado River. Chávez was pro-labor, co-sponsoring the Fair Employment Practices Commission Bill; he was involved with legislation pertaining to Indian affairs; he was an advocate of the Good Neighbor Policy toward Latin America. Dennis Chávez was chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads, the Committee on Public Works, and the Senate Subcommittee for Defense Appropriations. Chávez was the first native-born Hispanic elected to the U. S. Senate. At the time of his death, he was fourth ranking in Senate seniority. He died in Washington D. C. on November 18, 1962 and is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Albuquerque.
In 1911, Chávez married Imelda Espinosa, a member of a prominent New Mexico family. In 1914, they moved to Belen. He worked briefly as editor of a Belen weekly newspaper, as a court interpreter, and as a private contractor until 1916, when he obtained temporary employment as a Spanish interpreter for Senator A. A. Jones' reelection campaign. In 1918, he was offered a position as assistant executive clerk of the Senate in Washington, D.C. by Senator Jones. He accepted this position, passed a special admission exam at Georgetown University Law School and studied law at night. He graduated from Georgetown in 1920 and returned to Albuquerque to establish a law practice.
In 1922, Chávez ran successfully for the New Mexico state legislature. In 1930, he was elected as the Democratic candidate to the U. S. House of Representatives; in 1932, he became chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs. Chávez was defeated by Bronson Cutting for a Senate seat in 1934, but when Cutting was killed in 1935, Governor Clyde Tingley appointed Chávez to fill the vacant seat. He was elected to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term in 1936, and was re-elected in 1940, 1946, 1952, and 1958.
Chávez was instrumental in improving higher educational facilities in New Mexico. He actively supported legislation to benefit farmers and protect New Mexico's share of water from the Colorado River. Chávez was pro-labor, co-sponsoring the Fair Employment Practices Commission Bill; he was involved with legislation pertaining to Indian affairs; he was an advocate of the Good Neighbor Policy toward Latin America. Dennis Chávez was chairman of the Committee on Post Office and Post Roads, the Committee on Public Works, and the Senate Subcommittee for Defense Appropriations. Chávez was the first native-born Hispanic elected to the U. S. Senate. At the time of his death, he was fourth ranking in Senate seniority. He died in Washington D. C. on November 18, 1962 and is buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Albuquerque.
Extent
386 boxes (383 cu. ft.) + 1 oversize folder
Other Contents List
For the second portion of the contents list see Finding Aid of the Dennis Chavez Papers (Part 2)
Microfilm Edition
Correspondence pertaining to Joseph McCarthy, FEPC, Indian Affairs (boxes 64, 65, 78-83) is available on microfilm; CSWR Mfilm MSS 394.
Microfiolm reels 23-30 available on CD, located in Box 1, Folder A.
See Microfilm Guide after the Container List.
Microfiolm reels 23-30 available on CD, located in Box 1, Folder A.
See Microfilm Guide after the Container List.
Separated Material
The majority of the photographs have been transferred to Dennis Chavez Pictorial Collection.
Guide to Microfilm Reels
| Subject | Reel | Box | Beginning Folder |
|---|---|---|---|
| McCarthy | 1 | 64 | 1 |
| McCarthy | 2 | 64 | 27 |
| McCarthy | 3 | 64 | 37 |
| McCarthy | 4 | 64 | 45 |
| McCarthy | 5 | 65 | 3 |
| McCarthy | 6 | 65 | 11 |
| McCarthy | 7 | 65 | 16 |
| Indian Affairs | 8 | 80 | 1 |
| Indian Affairs | 9 | 80 | 10 |
| Indian Affairs | 10 | 80 | 19 |
| Indian Affairs | 11 | 80 | 31 |
| Indian Affairs | 12 | 81 | 1 |
| Indian Affairs | 13 | 81 | 8 |
| Indian Affairs | 14 | 81 | 15 |
| Indian Affairs | 15 | 81 | 20 |
| Indian Affairs | 16 | 82 | 2 |
| Indian Affairs | 17 | 82 | 10 |
| Indian Affairs | 18 | 82 | 18 |
| Indian Affairs | 19 | 82 | 29 |
| Indian Affairs | 20 | 83 | 2 |
| Indian Affairs | 21 | 83 | 17 |
| Indian Affairs | 22 | 83 | 29 |
| Indian Affairs/FEPC | 23 | 83 | 47 |
| FEPC | 24 | 78 | 7 |
| FEPC | 25 | 78 | 20 |
| FEPC | 26 | 78 | 34 |
| FEPC | 27 | 79 | 2 |
| FEPC | 28 | 79 | 7 |
| FEPC | 29 | 79 | 12 |
| FEPC | 30 | 79 | 29 |
Processing Information
Materials added to collection in May 2010. A note to this effect has been inserted in the contents list for specific folders that have had materials added to them.
- Discrimination in employment--Law and legislation--United States
- Hispanic American politicians--New Mexico
- Indians of North America -- Government relations
- Indians of North America--Government spending policy
- Latin America--Foreign relations--United States
- New Deal, 1933-1939
- New Mexico -- Politics and government -- 1848-1950
- New Mexico -- Politics and government -- 1951-
- United States--Foreign relations--Latin America
- Water resources development--United States
Creator
- Chavez, Dennis, 1888-1962 (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Dennis Chávez Papers (Part 1), 1921-1963 (bulk 1930-1962)
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by Staff
- Date
- ©2000
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 394 BC::Dennis Chavez Papers)//EN" "nmu1mss394bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
cswrref@unm.edu