Vicente T. Ximenes
Encyclopedia
Among his many achievements, Vicente T. Ximenes (born 1919) continues today as a Mexican-American civil rights leader. Ximenes was raised in the town of Floresville, Texas
, where he, along with the Mexican American community, were subjected to racial segregation. After graduating from high school, Ximenes became a chief clerk in the Civilian Conservation Corps
. Ximenes also enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin
where he became friends with Dr. Hector P. Garcia
, who would later organize the Mexican American civil rights organization the American GI Forum
.
When the US became involved in World War II
in 1941, Ximenes volunteered to join the U.S. Air Force. During the war, Ximenes flew 50 missions as a lead bombardier in North Africa and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
for bravery under fire. After serving in the war, he became an Air Force flying instructor and eventually retired with the rank of Major.
Upon returning home from service, he realized that racial segregation persisted in his hometown. He later became a member of the American GI Forum after meeting with his old friend Dr Garcia. In 1950, he received his Bachelor's degree in economics, and his Master's degree a year later. Ximenes worked at the Bureau of Business Research for the 10 following years. In 1961, the Kennedy administration selected Ximenes to serve as program officer and economist for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Ecuador
, and in 1966, he was named deputy director of the Agency for International Development in Panama. Ximenes was also appointed as Assistant Inspector General for the War on Poverty.
The following year, President Lyndon B. Johnson
appointed Ximenes as U.S. commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
, where he served for five years. Upon his appointment, President Johnson said, "Mr. Ximenes' life is a very vivid story of what we call American opportunity. He is a distinguished public servant, a teacher, a war hero, a leader of the Mexican-American community. Today, he achieves another high honor as he becomes a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the United States Government. And we -- as a Nation -- are honored by his achievement."
Ximenes was also selected as the chairman of President Johnson's new Cabinet Committee on Mexican American Affairs. He would later become the Vice-President for field operations of the National Urban Coalition. His tenure produced changes in Federal Legislation and regulation that affected the entire nation. Ximenes directed the historic El Paso hearings in October 1967 that were the turning point in the goal to become part of the mainstream of the United States for the Hispanics in the nation.
In 2008, Ximenes was the Honorary Degree Recipient of "Doctor of Humane Letters" from University of New Mexico. Previously, Ximenes received an Honorary Ph.D. in Humane Letters from New Mexico Highlands University.
Vicente T. Ximenes is the recipient of numerous awards including: the Common Cause Public Service Achievement Award, the State of New Mexico Distinguished Service Award, the Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama's highest honor and awarded by the president of Panama; the Aztec award by the Mexican-American Opportunity Foundation; the Albuquerque Human Rights Bridge Award by the Albuquerque human rights board; and the De Colores Lifetime Achievement award by the De Colores Board of Directors.
Vincente T. Ximenes was married to Maria who died in 2009. They have three children, Ricardo, Olivia and Ana Maria, a granddaughter, Theresa, and two great-granddaughters, Chloe and Madison.
Michelle Hall Kells, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing in the English Department of the University of New Mexico is writing about Vicente's political efforts in a book titled Vicente Ximenes and LBJ's Great Society: The Rhetoric of Mexican American Civil Rights Reform.
Ximenes was featured in a PBS American Experience documentary called The Civilian Conservation Corps which premiered in 2009.
Ximenes was featured in a documentary called The Longoria Affair, which premiered in November 2010 on PBS
. This documentary, written and directed by John J. Valadez, describes how Mexican-American Rights progressed after a World War II Veteran, Felix Longoria, was refused burial in his home town of Three Rivers Texas because of his ethnicity.
Floresville, Texas
Floresville is a city in Wilson County, Texas, United States. The population was 5,868 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Wilson County. The city is also part of the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, where he, along with the Mexican American community, were subjected to racial segregation. After graduating from high school, Ximenes became a chief clerk in the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
. Ximenes also enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
where he became friends with Dr. Hector P. Garcia
Hector P. Garcia
Hector Perez Garcia was a Mexican-American physician, surgeon, World War II veteran, civil rights advocate, and founder of the American G.I. Forum. As a result of the national prominence he earned through his work on behalf of Hispanic Americans, he was instrumental in the appointment of Mexican...
, who would later organize the Mexican American civil rights organization the American GI Forum
American GI Forum
The American G.I. Forum is a Congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans and civil rights organization. Its motto is "Education is Our Freedom and Freedom should be Everybody's Business". AGIF currently operates chapters throughout the United States, with a focus on veteran's issues, education,...
.
When the US became involved in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in 1941, Ximenes volunteered to join the U.S. Air Force. During the war, Ximenes flew 50 missions as a lead bombardier in North Africa and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
for bravery under fire. After serving in the war, he became an Air Force flying instructor and eventually retired with the rank of Major.
Upon returning home from service, he realized that racial segregation persisted in his hometown. He later became a member of the American GI Forum after meeting with his old friend Dr Garcia. In 1950, he received his Bachelor's degree in economics, and his Master's degree a year later. Ximenes worked at the Bureau of Business Research for the 10 following years. In 1961, the Kennedy administration selected Ximenes to serve as program officer and economist for the U.S. Agency for International Development in Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, and in 1966, he was named deputy director of the Agency for International Development in Panama. Ximenes was also appointed as Assistant Inspector General for the War on Poverty.
The following year, President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
appointed Ximenes as U.S. commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is an independent federal law enforcement agency that enforces laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC investigates discrimination complaints based on an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, perceived intelligence,...
, where he served for five years. Upon his appointment, President Johnson said, "Mr. Ximenes' life is a very vivid story of what we call American opportunity. He is a distinguished public servant, a teacher, a war hero, a leader of the Mexican-American community. Today, he achieves another high honor as he becomes a member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of the United States Government. And we -- as a Nation -- are honored by his achievement."
Ximenes was also selected as the chairman of President Johnson's new Cabinet Committee on Mexican American Affairs. He would later become the Vice-President for field operations of the National Urban Coalition. His tenure produced changes in Federal Legislation and regulation that affected the entire nation. Ximenes directed the historic El Paso hearings in October 1967 that were the turning point in the goal to become part of the mainstream of the United States for the Hispanics in the nation.
In 2008, Ximenes was the Honorary Degree Recipient of "Doctor of Humane Letters" from University of New Mexico. Previously, Ximenes received an Honorary Ph.D. in Humane Letters from New Mexico Highlands University.
Vicente T. Ximenes is the recipient of numerous awards including: the Common Cause Public Service Achievement Award, the State of New Mexico Distinguished Service Award, the Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama's highest honor and awarded by the president of Panama; the Aztec award by the Mexican-American Opportunity Foundation; the Albuquerque Human Rights Bridge Award by the Albuquerque human rights board; and the De Colores Lifetime Achievement award by the De Colores Board of Directors.
Vincente T. Ximenes was married to Maria who died in 2009. They have three children, Ricardo, Olivia and Ana Maria, a granddaughter, Theresa, and two great-granddaughters, Chloe and Madison.
Michelle Hall Kells, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Writing in the English Department of the University of New Mexico is writing about Vicente's political efforts in a book titled Vicente Ximenes and LBJ's Great Society: The Rhetoric of Mexican American Civil Rights Reform.
Ximenes was featured in a PBS American Experience documentary called The Civilian Conservation Corps which premiered in 2009.
Ximenes was featured in a documentary called The Longoria Affair, which premiered in November 2010 on PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
. This documentary, written and directed by John J. Valadez, describes how Mexican-American Rights progressed after a World War II Veteran, Felix Longoria, was refused burial in his home town of Three Rivers Texas because of his ethnicity.