Whereas the Transcontinental Railroad was one of the most remarkable engineering feats of the 19th century; Whereas the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad took six years and stretched for nearly 2,000 miles; Whereas the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad facilitated commerce and reduced cross-country travel times from 6 months to a single week after being completed; Whereas the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad will take place on May 10, 2019; Whereas nearly 12,000 Chinese immigrants were employed in the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, comprising more than 80 percent of the workforce of Central Pacific Railroad Company; Whereas the Chinese railroad workers were considered indispensable by their foremen and were respected for their work ethic and discipline; Whereas the Chinese railroad workers set a world record by laying 10 miles of railroad track in just one work day; Whereas the Chinese railroad workers were given the most difficult, dangerous jobs and were paid lower wages than other railroad workers; Whereas nearly 1,200 Chinese railroad workers died from work accidents, avalanches, and explosions while working in the Sierra Nevada Mountains; Whereas the Department of Labor has inducted the Chinese railroad workers into the Labor Hall of Honor for their courage in organizing in pursuit of fair wages and safe working conditions; Whereas the Chinese railroad workers set an example for the millions of Asian Americans who came to the United States after them through their fight against discrimination; Whereas both the descendants of these workers and the wider Asian-American community view the sacrifices of the Chinese railroad workers as being integral to the creation of the vibrant and growing Asian-American community that exists throughout the country today