COMMEMORATING THE CHINESE RAILROAD WORKERS ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARTY OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 78
(Extensions of Remarks - May 10, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E575-E576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMEMORATING THE CHINESE RAILROAD WORKERS ON THE 150TH ANNIVERSARTY OF
THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
______
HON. GRACE MENG
of new york
in the house of representatives
Friday, May 10, 2019
Ms. MENG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the
nearly 12,000 Chinese railroad workers who tirelessly worked on the
construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad.
As you may know, today marks the historic 150th Anniversary of the
completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Transcontinental
Railroad has long been considered one of the most remarkable
engineering feats of the 19th century. After its completion, the
railroad reduced cross-country travel time from six months to a single
week--facilitating a new era of commerce; bringing the country closer
together in the aftermath of the Civil War; and unleashing the
unlimited potential of our nation.
But, too often in our conversations surrounding it, we emphasis the
economic benefits; too often we forget to acknowledge the nearly 12,000
Chinese immigrants who made these benefits possible.
Madam Speaker, these workers endured both the arduous physical labor
of constructing a railroad and the emotional trauma of being
discriminated. They were given the most difficult, dangerous jobs, and
were paid lower wages than other workers. While working in the Sierras,
Chinese workers hung in baskets, 2,000 feet above raging rivers, to
blast into the impenetrable granite mountain--to make way for laying
the tracks.
Despite these conditions, the Chinese railroad workers were
considered indispensable
[[Page E576]]
and were respected for their work ethic and discipline. Above all,
these workers formed one of the first organized labor movements in the
United States for better living wages and work conditions, which
ultimately opened doors for future generations.
This is why I introduced a resolution in Congress since 2014 to
recognize their important contributions and the dangerous risks they
faced in the process. It is important for us to commemorate their
efforts and share their stories, so that their role in America's
history is not forgotten. After all, their stories helped create the
space needed for today's growing conversations on Asian American
diversity and inclusion.
Madam Speaker, I believe today's celebration is not only about
recognizing the many contributions the Asian American community has
made--and continues to make--but it is also a step towards weaving the
story of Asian Americans into the greater American tapestry. I am
thankful for the indelible mark they left in the growth of our nation--
and hope their contributions are further honored for the next 150
years.
____________________