Campaign launched to honor Chinese railroad workers with stamp

FLICKER / MARION ROSS

A group of Chinese American railroad workers gathered for a rare photo.

A campaign has been launched for a new stamp to honor the 12,000 Chinese  American immigrant laborers who helped build America’s Transcontinental Railroad from 1865-1869.

Led by Rep. Grace Meng, D-NY, a group of Congressional members of the House and Senate, sent a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee on  Feb. 7 to urge the issuance of a commemorative postage stamp ahead of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the railroad’s completion on May 10, which is also Asian American and Pacific Islander History Month.

REP. GRACE MENG

“Almost 150 years ago, thousands of Chinese railroad workers, through their sweat, blood, and labor, made enormous contributions to our country by bridging together the east and west coasts of our nation,” said Meng. 

“It is important for us to commemorate their efforts, and recognize their stories, so that their role in America’s history is not forgotten," the Congressmember continued. "These workers endured both the arduous physical labor of constructing a railroad and the emotional trauma of being discriminated. I am thankful for all they did to help the United States grow and prosper and for the important mark they left in the Asian American community. It’s time to award them with this long overdue recognition.”

Meng has been working toward the creation of a stamp for the 150th anniversary since 2014. The Congresswoman sent a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, which recommends and evaluates stamp proposals for the Postmaster General, in 2016. 

“These early laborers are significant to the Asian American community for their pioneering work at a time of constant racism and discrimination that eventually opened doors for future generations,” says the letter.

A petition started by the US-Asia Institute has collected over 7,000 signatures, says Meng.

“Asian Americans are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Accordingly, it is critical to recognize the significance of the Chinese railroad workers and share their stories by embedding them into a part of our daily life,” said Meng.

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