Rogelio Sánchez
(62 pages)
Listen to the interview
Biography:
County Commissioner for El Paso County, school teacher. Born 1921 in Coahuila, Mexico, Sánchez came to the U.S. with his family in 1923 and settled in Fort Hancock, Texas. He received a degree from Sul Ross in Alpine, Texas, served with the Army in the South Pacific during World War II, and served as County Commissioner for over 35 years.
Interview Summary:
The interview begins with a discussion of the defeat of Alicia Chacón in her bid for re-election as county judge, including comments on the relations between Mexican American women, Chacón's political relationship with Orlando Fonseca, and her appointment as a director of the United Way. Sánchez explains why he was not re-elected as county commissioner for El Paso County after having served for more than 35 years, and discusses his plans for retirement and his involvement with the people of his community. He also discusses political fundraising and campaigning, and mentions the help he received from brothers Raymond and Richard Telles along with noting the political offices they held. Sánchez describes the beginnings of acceptance of Mexican Americans in elected positions and the development of Mexican Americans as a political force. He recounts why his family and that of his wife moved from Mexico to Texas; gives a brief overview of his service with the U.S. Army during World War II, when he served as an infantryman in the South Pacific and later as a finance officer in Australia; describes the racial discrimination he experienced in Alpine while a student at Sul Ross; and discusses relations between Mexican Americans.
Locations of residence or activity:
El Paso
Interview Date:
6/21/1996