The father of Rep. Linda T. Sánchez and former Rep. Loretta Sánchez died after a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Ignacio S. Sánchez was the first and only father to send two daughters to Congress.

The Sánchez sisters, both Democrats, served simultaneously from 2003 to 2017, representing California districts. Loretta lost a Senate bid in 2016.

The congresswoman celebrated her father’s life by touting his success after emigrating from Mexico.

“He achieved his American Dream with a successful career as a small business owner, sending all 7 of his children to college, and seeing two daughters serve in the United States Congress,” she said in a statement.

He had Alzheimer’s for 17 years and is survived by his former wife and the mother of his children, Maria Macias; 6 children; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Macias is also a Mexican immigrant. They met while Sánchez was working as a mechanic in a tire shop and she was an accountant and union organizer.