[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 139 (Tuesday, August 27, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO AGUSTIN SILVAS ``GUS'' CHAVEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 27, 2019

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
Agustin Silvas ``Gus'' Chavez, who passed away surrounded by friends 
and family on August 18th. He was 76 years old.
  Agustin, affectionately known as Gus, was an exemplary community 
leader and activist who worked tirelessly for the Latino community in 
San Diego, California. He advocated for the importance of education as 
the most effective way to achieve economic success and self-
sustainability.
  Born in Texas, Gus arrived in San Diego in 1963 after joining the 
United States Navy, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman at Balboa 
Naval Hospital. It was during Gus's time in the Navy that he first 
began to work within the San Diego community and found his passion for 
activism through education and social justice work.
  After he was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1966, Gus earned 
his Associate of Arts degree from San Diego City College and later his 
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from San Diego State University. 
Throughout his education, Gus worked with several student associations 
to fight for equal access to education. His work led to the founding 
charter of the Latino student group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de 
Aztlan (MEChA), as well as the Brown Berrets and MAPA.
  In 1969, Gus co-founded the Chicano Federation of San Diego, a group 
dedicated to improving the lives of people in the Mexican American 
community in San Diego. The Chicano Federation started as a way to 
provide valuable resources and services to the Latino community. Today 
the organization offers child care programs, nutrition assistance 
programs, and affordable housing for families and seniors across all 
underserved communities in San Diego.
  Gus served as the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program at 
San Diego State University for 30 years. Throughout his tenure, Gus 
took personal interest in students. He constantly motivated them to 
reach new heights and celebrated their accomplishments. I loved his 
sense of passion and excitement at the success of his students. I 
always felt a kindred spirit with Gus and his enthusiasm for lifting 
every student he worked with to their full potential.
  Gus never stopped advocating for educational equity and educational 
access for all, particularly on behalf of first-generation students 
from marginalized communities. He firmly believed in the value of 
service and mentorship, and instilled that same sense of purpose into 
countless students.
  I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. I take 
comfort in knowing that Gus leaves behind a legacy of service and 
empowerment.

                          ____________________