Latino Facts: In 1822-1823, Joseph Marion Hernández of Florida became the first Latino to serve in Congress.

The 1st influential Latino politician of the 20th century is, without a doubt, Mexico in 1888, Chávez was forced to leave school in the seventh grade to help provide for his family. He continued his education by studying at the Albuquerque Public Library, an experience that would cement his dedication to improving educational programs.

After failing in his first attempt at political office, Chávez stumped for a Democratic Senate candidate and was subsequently given a clerkship. Working as a Senate clerk during the day, at night Chávez studied law at Georgetown University and later returned to New Mexico where he put his law degree to use practicing criminal law.

In 1922 Chávez was elected to the State House of Representatives where he excelled in supporting education. In 1930 he won his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives and served until 1935. His influence during his congressional term allowed him to run for a Senate seat in 1934. This hotly contested campaign ended with Chávez' defeat by a narrow margin and claims of election fraud. Before anything could be proven, the governor of New Mexico appointed Chávez Senator. Two years later Chávez won the Senate seat outright.

Throughout his 3 decades in Senate service, Chávez supported the New Deal programs of President Roosevelt, introduced equal rights legislation in 1944, and improved the interstate highway system, harbors and waterways during the 1950's. Chávez' work to improve education and efforts to end racial discrimination earned him a place as one of the pioneers in Latino political history.