Mayor Gibbs, Supervisor Barger, Representatives from Metrolink and our other distinguished speakers and guests, it is a great honor for me to speak today on behalf of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California.

As the current president, I would like to applaud the work of Metro to provide a new location for the historic plaques that my organization and the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society had installed and dedicated forty seven years ago in September 1976. Our historical society had only been organized less than a year earlier in November 1975. We felt that it was important to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike at Lang Station, linking the rail line between Northern and Southern California. Our plaque commemorated the Chinese contribution to the building of the Southern Pacific Railroad and the San Fernando Tunnel which linked San Francisco to Los Angeles. We returned on September 5, 2001 on the 125^th anniversary ceremony organized by Metrolink. In attendance was Former California Secretary of State March Fong Eu. I would like to quote part of her speech:

“We stand today on hallowed ground, consecrated by the blood, sweat, and tears of 3,000 laborers of Chinese ancestry… As with the building of the first Transcontinental Railroad, it was the vision of railroad magnate Charles Crocker, doing what others would not, or could not do. They battled solid rock, blistering heat, and desiccating winds. Cave-ins, boiler explosions and breaking cables claimed lives and limbs. As they cut their way through the San Fernando mountains, their daily progress was measured by fractions of an inch… The 7,000 foot long San Fernando Tunnel remains as one of the state’s engineering marvels. Chinese laborers had, once again, done the impossible, but they received no credit for their triumph. In fact, the final 1,000 feet of track was laid by Caucasian workers.”

The Chinese Historical Society returns here today, for the re-dedication of the plaques at this new location, which will ensure their long-term preservation. Our plaque honors the Chinese laborers who not only helped to unite a nation, but the state of California as well. We need to keep their story alive so that future generations will know and appreciate their contributions.

Thank you to Metro and all those involved for this opportunity to join in the celebration today.