Council Member Susan Zhuang on Tuesday introduced a City Council resolution that would, for the first time, recognize the history of Chinese-American railroad workers in New York City.
Surrounded by descendants of Chinese railroad workers, supporters, and fellow lawmakers on the steps of City Hall, Zhuang explained that if the City Council passes the resolution, May 10 would be recognized as Chinese American Railroad Workers Memorial Day across the five boroughs. The day — which would coincide with the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869 — would recognize and celebrate the thousands of Chinese railroad workers whose contributions have largely gone unrecognized.
Zhuang pointed out that Chinese railroad workers have often been overlooked in historical narratives, and their experiences and sacrifices remain largely untold.
“We cannot erase history,” she said. “We cannot create a version of America that erases history. Our history needs to be cherished and respected.”
Under the federal Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, the Union Pacific Railroad built the eastern section of the Transcontinental Railroad, while the Central Pacific Railroad was in charge of the western section, connecting the Western and Eastern seaboards with 1,912 miles of continuous railway.
The Central Pacific Railroad began laying tracks in 1863. Because of a labor shortage — the white labor pool in California was scarce and unreliable — the company turned to Chinese immigrants. Around 12,000 Chinese laborers, making up more than 80 percent of the Central Pacific Railroad labor force, built the majority of the western part of the railroad, laying tracks, building tunnels, and clearing the path for the railroad.
They worked long hours under hazardous conditions like extreme heat and dynamiting. It is estimated that between 1,000 to 1,200 Chinese workers died due to dangerous working conditions, among them 300 Chinese railroad workers who fell to their deaths during the construction of the Central Pacific Railroad in the Sierra Nevada at “Cape Horn,” a treacherous area along the American River canyon.
In addition to unsafe working conditions, Chinese laborers initially received only $27 per month minus the cost of food and board, while their White coworkers received $35 per month, including food and accommodation.
Kenny Wong’s great-grandfather arrived in the United States in 1860 after he was recruited as a laborer. He risked his life to build the railroad, Wong said, one of the world’s seven industrial wonders, and the foundation of the U.S.’ rise in the 20th century.
“These workers cleared mountains, building tunnels, setting dynamites inside the caves,” Wong said. “Many Chinese laborers lost their lives as a result because they couldn’t run out of the [cave] quickly enough.”
Michael Lee, president of the Museum of the Chinese in America, emphasized that the story of Chinese railroad workers was the foundation of the Chinese-American journey.
“Honoring them isn’t just about looking back; it’s about recognizing the values they lived: sacrifice, perseverance, and building a better future for this country. This resolution is more than symbolic. It’s a powerful statement that our history matters,” Lee said.
Brooklyn Council Member Mercedes Narcisse highlighted the importance of recognizing the “dues” immigrants have paid to build the country.
“It’s so important to remember where we came from, who built this city, the city of New York and the United States of America,” Narcisse said.
Recognizing the work immigrants did to build the U.S. is more important than ever, said Bronx Council Member Eric Dinowitz, as politicians try to erase the contributions of immigrants.
“Our contributions to this country, everything we have given, including our lives, it is critically important that we recognize the contribution of Chinese Americans with this resolution,” Dinowitz said. “With this resolution, we in the council are doing something the President refuses to do, and that is to see you and to recognize you.”
