Lecture on the Role of Chinese Workers in Building the Transcontinental Railroad

Introduction

Conference held by the Chinese Historical Society of America and Stanford's Chinese Railroad Worker Research Project.
Celebrated the 150th anniversary of hiring Chinese laborers for the Transcontinental Railroad.
Conference attended by over 50 descendants of the workers.

Family Connection:
- Great grandfather, Hung Libel, worked on the Transcontinental Railroad.
- His great uncle lost an eye in a blasting accident while building the snow sheds.
- Story documented by a 100-year-old family member during a birthday party.
Daring Incident:
- Hung Libel escaped a locomotive by jumping over the side of a trestle and hanging onto railroad ties.
Family Life:
- Hung Libel found a wife despite the challenging male-to-female ratio (27 men to 1 woman) after 1882.
- Married in 1888, he and his wife had five children, leading to over 100 descendants.

Family Legacy and Courage:
- The courage and resilience of ancestors shape the present generations.
- Examples include WWII heroics and achievements in modern-day family members, such as a female F-15 fighter pilot and a son who rescued people from drowning.
Recognition of Chinese Workers:
- There is a growing movement for overdue recognition of Chinese railroad workers.
- Russell Lowe views this as positive for both Chinese Americans and the broader American society.
Importance of Acknowledging Contributions:
- Emphasizes recognizing the contributions of minorities in building the country.
- Believes the true legacy is in the descendants and their accomplishments.