CAPAC Members Celebrate 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Contributions of Chinese Railroad Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad, which linked the continental United States from coast to coast and ushered in a new era of American prosperity. The completion of the railroad would not have been possible without the labor of over 12,000 Chinese railroad workers who helped to build this engineering marvel even in the face of great adversity and racial discrimination. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus hosted an event at the Library of Congress to honor the contributions these workers and released the following statements:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“150 years ago, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad marked an inflection point in history that forever changed our nation. It brought tremendous change and growth to the United States by bridging our coasts and facilitating greater economic development and prosperity. But this engineering feat would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of the 12,000 Chinese laborers who made up over 80 percent of the Central Pacific Railroad workforce. They endured treacherous conditions and faced intense racial discrimination, yet their stories are often overlooked in U.S. history books. That’s why, I was so pleased to host an event at the Library of Congress and to participate in an event at the Smithsonian Museum of American History to highlight the contributions of these Chinese laborers and honor their role in shaping American history. 150 years after the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, it is more important now than ever that we continue to tell their stories and ensure these pioneers get the recognition they deserve.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice Chair:
“Today marks the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad that connected our nation, spurred economic growth, and unleashed the unlimited potential of our nation,” said Meng. “Less known to the American public is the enormous contributions of Chinese immigrant laborers who toiled in extreme weather to lay down the literal foundations of our nation. Today, we honor their memory, sweat, blood, and labor, and we provide them with the recognition they deserve. I have tirelessly advocated for Congress to honor the legacy of these railroad workers and I am proud to be pushing a resolution that would finally make that happen. I’m pleased that this year, on this milestone anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service will be issuing three special commemorative postage stamps to mark the occasion. As we celebrate the memory of the Chinese railroad workers, I hope the contributions they made to our country are recognized and remembered by all Americans”
Congressman Ed Case (HI-01):
“I am honored to join my Congressional colleagues in commemorating those of Chinese ancestry who were largely responsible for what became one of the greatest engineering marvels our country has ever seen – the first Transcontinental Railroad. Even though 150 years has passed since the completion of this project, we cannot forget what it took to build this railroad hat stretched from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Sacramento, California. This project – over harsh terrain in the West and especially through the formidable Sierra Nevada mountains – claimed too many lives and maimed too many others. This burden fell disproportionately on thousands of Chinese, many of whom came across the Pacific to America for what they hoped would be a better life. Their back-breaking work on the railroad opened the American West and, as a newspaper reported at the time, united Americans living in the East and the West into “emphatically one people.” Yet they were not included in memorials and pictures of the time and their contributions were treated as but a footnote for over a century. Today we do honor this pioneering community for its incredible contribution to our nation’s history. And we recognize the contributions of their descendants to all facets of our American story since. Mahalo!”
Congressman TJ Cox (CA-21):
“This month, not only do we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage, but also honor the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad. Opened on May 10, 1869, the Transcontinental Railroad was built primarily at the hands of thousands of emigrant Chinese workers. As the son of a Chinese immigrant myself, I honor the sacrifices of our Chinese ancestors responsible for building this important piece of American infrastructure. It’s because of their hard work that the American people were first able travel from sea to sea.”
Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):
“The historic contributions of Chinese laborers to the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad are too often omitted from our history books. Chinese migrants faced discrimination and extraordinarily hazardous working conditions. History is incomplete if it does not recognize and celebrate the diversity in innovation, in infrastructure, and in transportation”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):
“Today, we mark the 150th Anniversary of the Transcontinental Railroad and the honoring of the contributions of Chinese railroad workers. Their work and sacrifices propelled the growth of America and forever improved the country. Chinese railroad workers and their descendants are an essential piece of the American fabric, and we should always celebrate their contributions.”
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06):
“The story of the Transcontinental Railroad is uniquely American. It’s a story of ingenuity and it is a story of immigrants. We owe a debt of gratitude to the Chinese laborers who contributed so much to this country by completing the historic Railroad. It is important to remember these forgotten workers, who chiseled through solid granite and laid miles and miles of track at record speed. The workers who built this American dream deserve to be honored and celebrated for their contributions to our modern-day economy.”
Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52):
“The 150th anniversary of the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad honors the tireless work of Chinese railroad workers, who were respected for their work ethic, but paid less than others for more arduous work. Their fight against discrimination set the stage for millions of Asian American Pacific Islanders who came to the United States after them. I will continue to work to ensure our AAPI community and every American has an opportunity to succeed.”
Congressman Harley Rouda (CA-48):
“The completion of the Transcontinental Railroad was a landmark American achievement. But in the 150 years since then, the central place of Chinese Americans in building our infrastructure has far too often been forgotten. I’m proud to represent a diverse Asian American community of Chinese Americans, Vietnamese Americans, and Korean Americans in CA-48, and this anniversary marks yet another opportunity to uplift and celebrate their essential contributions to America as we know it today.”
