Guest Column - Evans: "My Mom taught me what the American Dream means"

Congressman Gabe Evans alongside his mom, Becky Chávez, during the Independence Day Parade in Greeley in 2026.

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Gabe Evans, Representative for Colorado’s 8th Congressional District

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Much of who I am today I owe to my mom, Becky Chávez. She was the one who taught me from childhood to work hard, to serve others, to love this country, and, above all, to never take for granted the opportunities we have in the United States. But those values did not start with her. They are part of a family story that began long before me.

My mom did not grow up with luxuries or privilege. My grandfather left Chihuahua to start a new life in El Paso. That decision changed the future of our family forever. Over time, my grandfather served in the United States Army during World War II, where he was honored with two Purple Hearts, and later became a U.S. citizen.

He loved this country. He believed that in the United States, if you work hard, do things right, and take advantage of opportunities, you could build a better life for your family. That is what he taught my mom. And that is what she taught me.

Guest Column – Evans: “My Mom taught me what the American Dream means”

As a child, I might not have understood the weight of those lessons. But over the years, I understood that Mom wasn’t just teaching me to work hard. She was teaching me what the American Dream means.

It is the idea that it doesn’t matter where your family comes from or how much money you have. With hard work, sacrifice, and opportunity, you can get ahead and build something better for your children.

My family has lived that dream

I am the grandson of Mexican immigrants. I had the honor of serving my community as a police officer, serving our country as a soldier, and now representing my Colorado neighbors in the United States Congress. None of that would have been possible without the sacrifices of those who came before me. So, Mom, thank you. Thank you for teaching me to love this country. Thank you for teaching me that nothing replaces hard work. Thank you for teaching me to serve others and to never forget where we come from.

Our family’s story is not unique. It is shared by thousands of families in Colorado and across our entire country. They are families who work long hours so their children can have more opportunities. Families who open small businesses, serve in the military, work in the fields, raise their children, and help their neighbors. Families who are proud of their roots and, at the same time, deeply grateful for the opportunities they have found in the United States.

Guest Column – Evans: “My Mom taught me what the American Dream means”

I am proud of both. I am proud of my Mexican roots and my family’s history. And I am deeply proud to be an American. The American Dream changed my grandfather’s life. He taught it to my mom. My mom taught it to me. And now it is my turn to do everything possible so that our children and grandchildren also have the opportunity to live it. It is a goal worth defending.