Political Quotes

“in 1958, recently married Genie Zavaleta went on assignment with the Migrant Ministry with her husband Hector. They traveled the country to support Mexican migrant workers. Genie was a child of the Great Depression, and she knew when people needed help. What was supposed to be a 1-year stint became a lifetime of helping people in need. Last month, Genie passed away at the age of 92. She was known as the grandmother of the Dreamers. She was a longtime champion and mentor to undocumented youth in Arizona and a fierce advocate for the Dream Act. Genie also was my ally in defending the Dreamers. In 1965, Genie and Hector moved to Arizona permanently with their two sons, Dan and David. Arizona was a transforming State, and the influx of migrant workers attracted Genie. She became the first director of education at Planned Parenthood of Phoenix, teaching classes on poverty and across the county. She taught classes at Phoenix College and Arizona State University too. She worked with the Maricopa County Health Department for 15 years until her retirement in 1989. Genie's retirement was not close to the end of her story. She moved into full-time advocacy for immigrants. For more than a decade, my staff and I worked with her on behalf of Dreamers. She saved countless Dreamers from being deported. Genie had my office on speed dial. She frequently alerted us to Dreamers at the risk of deportation. She shared stories of Dreamers that I told on the Senate floor.…”