[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 65 (Tuesday, May 23, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E927-E928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MR. JOACHIM MATTHEW CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 23, 2006

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. Joachim 
Matthew Chavez, a life-long teacher and strong advocate of public 
education.
  Mr. Chavez will retire this year from a 30 year career as a public 
school educator. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, he graduated from Yuma 
High School, home of the Criminals and later attended Arizona Western 
College and Northern Arizona University. He started his career teaching 
History and English in Parker, Arizona and later moved to Somerton, 
Arizona where he spent most of his professional career. He created and 
developed the district's first Biliteracy Program where students 
learned to use their native language skills as a base for English 
instruction. He later served as the District Director of the Bilingual 
Programs. He was named Somerton's Teacher of the Year in 1988 and again 
in 1990.
  His dedication did not stop at the school gate but he also committed 
himself to teaching Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) courses in 
the evenings and weekends to farmworkers in the Yuma Valley. An active 
member of the religious community, he taught religious education for 
over 25 years. As an involved parent, he was a Little League Baseball 
and Youth Soccer Coach, Ballet Folkloric sponsor, a parent Band 
Booster, and a supporter of the Cibola Thespian Group.
  He and his wife Annette have become role models and mentors to many 
young teaching

[[Page E928]]

professionals. Fully bilingual themselves, they provided area families 
an opportunity to learn about how parents can have a lasting impact in 
their children's education.
  Mr. Chavez has been credited with elevating the district's English 
Language Learning program to a level of significant academic 
achievement among students.
  I would like to personally commend Mr. Joachim Matthew Chavez for his 
tireless commitment to our community. His life and work are examples of 
service and of hope.

                          ____________________