Sanchez, Alfonso, 1928-

Alfonso Sanchez was born on February 23, 1928 in Belen, New Mexico. He was one of ten children. His mother died in 1937 and his father remarried soon afterwards. Sanchez joined the military the day after he graduated from high school, serving as a volunteer for two years. With the help of the GI Bill, Sanchez began college and joined the enlisted reserves. He was activated and served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War for another two years. Upon his return from the war, Sanchez completed his law degree at the University of New Mexico (1957). He then became the Assistant District Attorney in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He resigned after several years in this position and began private practice. On May 12, 1962, Sanchez married his wife, Cecilia. In November of the same year, he was elected as New Mexico State Representative. In 1963, Governor Jack Campbell appointed Sanchez District Attorney of the First Judicial District consisting of Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Los Alamos Counties. Sanchez served as the District Attorney in Tierra Amarilla during the time of La Alianza Federal de las Mercedes' raid of the Rio Arriba County courthouse. Sanchez knew many members of La Alianza and its leader, Reies Lopez Tijerina prior to the raid which occurred after Sanchez prohibited a scheduled meeting of La Alianza and several group members were arrested. In response, La Alianza issued an arrest warrant for Sanchez and intended to fulfill their citizen's arrest against Sanchez at the Rio Arriba Courthouse when the raid occurred. Sanchez prosecuted members of La Alianza. He collected legal documents and research detailing the Tierra Amarilla land struggle. Beginning in law school, when he became friends with Vicente Ximenes and Hector P. Garcia, Sanchez became active with the GI Forum and numerous other community organizations. He helped to organize De Vargas Savings and Loan Association and Charter Bank of Santa Fe as a response to what he felt were discriminatory loan practices in local banks. He also helped to organize the SER Jobs for Progress project, which helps train young Chicanos and matches them with employers on a national level. In the early 1960s, Sanchez implemented an in-school program to try to motivate children to grow up with respect for the law. Sanchez has continued to practice law privately since the Rio Arriba Courthouse raid. In 2007, he received an award from the University of New Mexico, marking his 50 years of practicing law. As of April 2008, Sanchez continues to be involved in his community and local church. He also enjoys working on a Civil War memorial on his property near Glorieta, New Mexico. Alfonso and Cecilia Sanchez reside in Santa Fe, they have three daughters, a son, and several grandchildren.

From the description of Alfonso Sanchez papers, 1856-2004 (bulk 1955-1970) (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 230323808

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