Oral history interview with Vicente Ximenes, 2004

  1. Resources
  2. View Resource

ArchivalResource

Oral history interview with Vicente Ximenes, 2004

2004

https://uta.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/openurl?institution=01UTAR_INST&rfr_id=info:sid%2Fsummon&rft_dat=ie%3D51103097330004911,language%3DEN&svc_dat=CTO&u.ignore_date_coverage=true&vid=01UTAR_INST:Services

Vicente Ximenes begins with his father's role in Floresville and South Texas politics in the 1930s and his work in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He shares being a part of a Mexican American student co-op in Austin to help with college expenses at the University of Texas and recalls the group's lively debates on race discrimination. He reveals details of his military service at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico and in the Mediterranean theater during World War II and gives details about his family and his affiliation with the University of New Mexico. He talks about his work with the American G.I. Forum and his friendship with Dr. Hector García in the 1950s and 1960s and points out the involvement of New Mexico Senator Joseph Montoya, California Senator Edward Roybal, and (James) Carlos McCormick in the Viva Kennedy Clubs. He mentions the presence of Robert F. Kennedy at the American G.I. Forum Convention in Chicago in 1960, and discusses the job he took with the Agency for International Development as a program officer in Quito, Ecuador. He highlights his work for President Lyndon B. Johnson as director of the Viva Johnson Clubs (funded by the Democratic National Committee) for the 1964 presidential election. He recounts his encounter with Chicago mayor Richard Daley's cronies during his effort to organize Viva Johnson Clubs across the U.S. and describes the frenzied efforts to distribute a campaign newspaper, 'El Nuevo Piñon,' nationwide. He speaks of the political efforts of celebrities such as Ricardo Montalbán and of drafting Mexico's Cantinflas for a political rally. He alludes to Sargent Shriver's role in the War on Poverty after Johnson's reelection as an obstacle to further Mexican American involvement in national politics, apart from the creation of the Cabinet Committee on Opportunity for the Spanish-Speaking (a.k.a. Mexican American Affairs). He tells of his efforts to organize the White House Conference slated for El Paso, Texas to address Mexican American issues and spells out his reasons for resigning from his position under Sargent Shriver to take a post in Panama. He relates the circumstances that brought him back to Washington, D.C. as Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and discloses his pivotal conversation with New Mexico Senator Clint Anderson. He explains the real power was not through his role as EEOC commissioner but rather his post as chairman of the Cabinet Committee, along with the help of committee member John Gardner, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare. Ximenes takes credit for the creation and initiation of Affirmative Action programs, and attributes the assistance of John Macy, head of the U.S. Civil Service Commission, for its success. He notes flying on Air Force One and provides logistical details of the White House Conferences planned for San Antonio, Albuquerque, and El Paso, the last of which included Mexico's president Gustavo Díaz Ordaz to orchestrate the cessioning of the Rio Grande's El Chamizal. He laments his failure to win over George Sánchez and Cesar Chávez and exposes the complexity of the politics involved. He covers the involvement and activities of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), the Political Association of Spanish-speaking Organizations (PASSO), and the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO) during the conference. He disputes the alleged walkout during the conference in El Paso and chronicles the conference events from the introduction of Texas governor John Connally to the reception of then vice president Humbert H. Humphrey. He cites bilingual education and immigration as sources of political contention between Mexican Americans and African Americans and talks about the role of Louis Martin, an African American journalist and colleague of Cuban origin, in the Viva Johnson Clubs. He gives his opinions on the Democratic Party, comments on Mexican American politicos Henry B. Gonzales, Albert Peña, and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, and expresses his views on issues facing Mexican Americans.

2 videocassette (VHS) : col. ; 1/2 in.Transcript : 93 p. ; 28 cm.

eng,

spa,

University of Texas at Arlington, Central Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 7565927

University of Texas at Arlington, Central Library

Related Entities

There are 45 Entities related to this resource.

University of Texas at Arlington. Center for Mexican American Studies

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w63c6s61 (corporateBody)

Chavez, Cesar, 1927-1993

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65v4b6b (person)

Cesar Chavez (b. March 31, 1927, Yuma, AZ – d. April 23, 1993, San Luis, AZ) was an American labor leader and civil rights activist who, with Dolores Huerta, co-founded the National Farm Workers Association (later the United Farm Workers union, UFW) in 1962. Originally a Mexican American farm worker, Chavez became the best known Latino American civil rights activist, and was strongly promoted by the American labor movement, which was eager to enroll Hispanic members. His public-relations approac...

United States. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6hb9wwr (corporateBody)

In March 1972 President Richard Nixon called for an "intensive study" and requested a plan for developing a "safe, fast, and efficient nationwide blood collection and distribution system." Nixon's request was the result of several independent events and initiatives throughout the late 1960s that focused on the U.S. lack of an efficient system for maintaining a sufficiently ample, risk-free national blood supply. The primary aim of the policy was to eliminate the nation's dependence on an oft-con...

González, Henry B. (Henry Barbosa), 1916-2000

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kf2pmp (person)

Henry Barbosa González (born Enrique Barbosa González; May 3, 1916 – November 28, 2000) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented Texas's 20th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1961 to 1999. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he graduated from Jefferson High School there before earning an associate's degree from San Antonio College, attending the University of Texas at Austin, and earning a bachelor of laws degree (LL.B.) from the St....

Richardson, Bill, 1947 November 15-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6c35n3c (person)

William Blaine Richardson III (born November 15, 1947) is an American politician, author, and diplomat. A member of the Democratic Party, he notably represented New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1997, served as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1997 to 1998, as U.S. Secretary of Energy from 1998 to 2001, and as Governor of New Mexico from 2003 to 2011. Born in Pasadena, California, Richardson was brought up in the borough of C...

Montoya, Joseph Manuel, 1915-1978

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ch0frn (person)

Joseph Manuel Montoya (September 24, 1915 – June 5, 1978) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party who served as the lieutenant governor of New Mexico (1947–1951 and 1955–1957), in the U.S. House of Representatives (1957–1964) and as a U.S. Senator from New Mexico (1964–1977). Born in Peña Blanca, New Mexico, he received his early education in public schools in Sandoval County and graduated from Bernalillo High School before continuing his education at Regis College in Den...

United States. Army Air Forces

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wb616q (person)

The Army Air Forces War Adjustment Course was established in 1944 at several locations in the U.S., one of which was Harvard Business School. The HBS program involved eight weeks of training in the business of contract terminations, cutbacks, and property disposal necessitated by changes in Army Air Forces tactical requirements. Approximately 4,200 officers received instruction throughout the country, about one sixth of them at HBS. The goal of the program was to train men for participation in t...

Johnson, Lyndon B. (Lyndon Baines), 1908-1973

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66793pq (person)

Lyndon Baines Johnson, also known as LBJ, was born on August 27, 1908 at Stonewall, Texas. He was the first child of Sam Ealy Johnson, Jr., and Rebekah Baines Johnson, and had three sisters and a brother: Rebekah, Josefa, Sam Houston, and Lucia. In 1913, the Johnson family moved to nearby Johnson City, named for Lyndon''s forebears, and Lyndon entered first grade. On May 24, 1924 he graduated from Johnson City High School. He decided to forego higher education and moved to California with a few ...

Humphrey, Hubert H. (Hubert Horatio), 1911-1978

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w66j56vs (person)

Hubert Horatio Humphrey Jr. (May 27, 1911 – January 13, 1978) was an American politician who served as the 38th vice president of the United States from 1965 to 1969. He twice served in the United States Senate, representing Minnesota from 1949 to 1964 and 1971 to 1978. He was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 1968 presidential election, losing to Republican nominee Richard Nixon. Born in Wallace, South Dakota, Humphrey attended the University of Minnesota. At one point he helped run his ...

Daley, Richard J., 1902-1976

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w67w6pk4 (person)

Political Association of Spanish-speaking Organizations

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6hj3gtp (corporateBody)

Viva Johnson Clubs (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6b34s3b (corporateBody)

Shriver, Sargent, 1915-2011

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6553bpb (person)

Robert Sargent Shriver (b. 1915-d. Jan. 18, 2011), brother-in-law of John F. Kennedy, lawyer, businessman, government official, and diplomat, was Assistant General Manager, Merchandise Mart from 1948 to 1961. During and after the Kennedy administration, her served as the Director of the Peace Corps from 1961 to 1966, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity from 1964 to 1968, and Special Assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1965 to 1968. Shriver later served as Ambassador to Franc...

Democratic Party (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w62k030j (corporateBody)

United States. Cabinet Committee on Opportunity for the Spanish Speaking

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6093309 (corporateBody)

United States Civil Service Commission

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wd7pm1 (corporateBody)

The United States Civil Service Commission was established by the Civil Service Act of 1883. The Commission replaced the “spoils system” and democratized the process of hiring for federal jobs; first, because it required that these positions be filled through competitive examinations which were open to all citizens; second, because it required selection of the best-qualified applicants without regard to political considerations. During World War II, the need for federal ...

Montalbán, Ricardo

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qv4h14 (person)

University of New Mexico.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6sz07t8 (corporateBody)

The University of New Mexico was established by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of New Mexico in 1889. It was to be located in Albuquerque. Elias Stover was appointed the first president. The new institution opened in rented rooms as a summer normal school, June 15, 1892, beginning regular instruction on September 21st in the first building erected on the campus. In 1901 Dr. William G. Tight became president. He introduced the "Pueblo Style" architecture for the University buildings. U...

Democratic National Committee (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6fn4z83 (corporateBody)

USAID/Panama

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xx1gb5 (corporateBody)

Pena Rodríguez, Alberto, 1970-....

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61v78jw (person)

County commissioner, attorney, activist for Mexican American issues. Peña was born December 15, 1917, and graduated from the South Texas School of Law in 1950. He began his legal career by filing school desegregation suits in Hondo, Texas, and Lytle, Texas, on behalf of the American G.I. Forum and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), respectively. He was a Bexar County commissioner from 1960 to 1974. He organized Viva Kennedy Clubs in Texas in 1960 and had founding roles in the...

Mexican American Political Association (Calif.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6h75mqn (corporateBody)

United States. President (1963-1969 : Johnson)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6p886f4 (corporateBody)

United States. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qp0sxv (corporateBody)

Macy, John W., 1917-1986

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6rf6tzw (person)

Gardner, John W. (John William), 1912-2002

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6t72tw1 (person)

John William Gardner (1912-2002) was vice president of the Carnegie Corporation of New York from 1949 to 1955, and president of the Carnegie Corporation from 1955 to 1965. He was a member of President Kennedy's Task Force on Education in 1960, on President Johnson's Task Force on Education in 1964, and he served as Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1965 to 1968. From the description of Gardner, John William, 1912-2002 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration)...

Anderson, Clinton Presba, 1895-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w669770b (person)

Businessman, secretary of agriculture, and U.S. senator from New Mexico; d. 1975 From the description of Papers, 1945-1948. (Harry S Truman Library). WorldCat record id: 70939630 Clinton P. Anderson, politician, business proprietor and collector of rare books and documents, born 1895, Centerville, South Dakota, died 1975, Albuquerque, New Mexico. U.S. Representative from New Mexico, 1941-45, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1945-48, U.S. Senator from New Mexico, 1949-71. ...

Ximenes family.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kf17g4 (family)

MAYO (Organization)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kw9rsw (corporateBody)

Díaz Ordaz, Gustavo, 1911-1979.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jx2z64 (person)

Connally, John Bowden, 1917-1993

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6794hs4 (person)

John Bowden Connally Jr. (February 27, 1917 – June 15, 1993) was an American politician. He served as the 39th Governor of Texas and as the 61st United States Secretary of the Treasury. He began his career as a Democrat and later became a Republican in 1973. Born in Floresville, Texas, Connally pursued a legal career after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin. During World War II, he served on the staff of James Forrestal and Dwight D. Eisenhower before transferring to the Asiati...

Roybal, Edward Ross, 1916-2005

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6864z5q (person)

Edward Ross Roybal (February 10, 1916 – October 24, 2005) was an American politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a member of the Los Angeles City Council for thirteen years and of the U.S. House of Representatives representing California's 30th and 25th congressional districts for thirty years. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, his family moved to the East Los Angeles neighborhood of Boyle Heights when he was a child. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, he joined the Civ...

McCormick, James Carlos.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gn2rsw (person)

United States. AID Mission in Ecuador

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6838p13 (corporateBody)

Cantinflas, 1911-1993

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6k64qbv (person)

American G.I. Forum

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w62270hh (corporateBody)

Garcia, Hector P., -1996

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jh4kxm (person)

Ximenes, Vicente 1919-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6jm6v7r (person)

Mexican American civil rights advocate Vicente Ximenes was born in Floresville, Texas in 1919 and graduated from Floresville High School in 1939. After high school, he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and attended the University of Texas. He married Maria Castillo of San Antonio, Texas in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1941-1947 as a decorated veteran of World War II. He retired with the rank of major and thereafter moved his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico. He...

Sánchez, George Isidore, 1906-1972

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w62v55m3 (person)

George I. Sánchez, writer, educator, and civil rights advocate, was born Jorge Isidoro Sánchez y Sánchez on October 4, 1906, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The son of Telésforo and Juliana Sánchez, he attended elementary and secondary public schools in New Mexico and worked as a school teacher, principal, and superintendent while earning his BA from the University of New Mexico (1930). Sánchez received his Master of Science degree in Educational Psychology and Spanish from the Universi...

Kennedy, Robert F. (Robert Francis), 1925-1968

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6vf7ngv (person)

Robert Francis Kennedy (November 20, 1925 – June 6, 1968), also referred to by his initials RFK and occasionally by the nickname Bobby, was an American politician and lawyer who served as the 64th United States Attorney General from January 1961 to September 1964, and as a U.S. Senator from New York from January 1965 until his assassination in June 1968. He was the brother of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Senator Edward Moore Kennedy. Kennedy and his brothers were born into a wealthy,...

José Angel Gutiérrez,

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6sx7tnc (person)

Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qz62p2 (corporateBody)

The Civilian Conservation Corps, a federal agency, was created as part of the New Deal in 1935. From the description of Civilian Conservation Corps photograph collection [graphic]. 1936. (Santa Fe Public Library). WorldCat record id: 38548415 On March 31, 1933, congress passed the Emergency Conservation Work Act, creating the Civilian Conservation Corps. On April 5, the president appointed Robert Fechner of Tennessee as Director of Emergency Conservation Work. Fechner, a vic...

Martin, Louis, 1912-1997

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60s1hp9 (person)

Civil rights activist, newspaper publisher and columnist, and political advisor. Full name: Louis Emanuel Martin. Died 1997. From the description of Louis Martin papers, 1931-1998 (bulk 1977-1993). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70979773 Journalist. From the description of Reminiscences of Louis E. Martin : oral history, 1981. (Columbia University In the City of New York). WorldCat record id: 309733597 Louis Emanuel Martin was born on November 18, 1912 i...

League of United Latin American Citizens

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w61g4rtb (corporateBody)

Organized in February of 1929 in Corpus Christi, TX. Composed mostly of Mexican-American citizens who believe that education is the foundation for the cultural growth and development for people of Latin American descent. Organization provides college scholarships, hot lunches for low-income and under privileged children, Christmas parties for under privileged and promotion of voter registration. From the description of Records, 1970-1989. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: ...

Viva Kennedy Clubs (U.S.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65b702c (corporateBody)