U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez Endowed Lectureship to discuss struggle for civil rights and social justice
Contact: Tamara Williams
Phone: 505.277.9504
Email: williams@law.unm.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez, one of New Mexico’s most influential U.S. senators during the mid-20th century, was a pivotal and early advocate of civil rights legislation. His calls to action, outlooks and efforts were extraordinary at the time and remain relevant today across many key issues facing our nation and the world.
The 2017 U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez Endowed Lectureship will honor his legacy on Thursday, October 26th at the UNM School of Law, located at 1117 Stanford NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Pre-lecture refreshments will be served from 4:45 pm until 5:30 pm. The welcome, lecture and Q&A is from 5:30 pm until 6:45 pm. Parking is free in the Law School “L” lot after 4:00 pm. Early registration is advised.
“Half a century after his death, Dennis Chavez's life and legacy are a powerful reminder that the struggle for civil rights and social justice and against discrimination is always with us,” says Gloria Tristani, Chavez’ granddaughter. “And that no matter how unpopular, we must always have the courage to raise our voices to speak to truth and stand up for the rights of others.”
Former Dean and Professor of Law Kevin Washburn will provide introductory remarks about the distinguished Lecturer, the Honorable M. Christina Armijo, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, and Senator Chavez.
Chief Judge Armijo will present, “The Legacy of Senator Dennis Chavez: Choices, Challenges and Consequences, and His Courage and Resolve in Safeguarding the Rights of Individuals.”
This program has been approved by the New Mexico Minimum Continuing Legal Education Board for 1.0 hour of Ethics/Professionalism of credit.
The lecture/symposium series has been established to celebrate and keep alive the extraordinary legacy of Dennis Chavez, one of New Mexico’s most influential U.S. senators during the mid-20th century. Sen. Chavez was a remarkable New Mexican, a populist from the South Valley who served a noteworthy and significant term in the U.S. Senate from 1935 until his death in 1962. He is remembered as a pivotal and early advocate of civil rights legislation.
