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.