[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 45 (Thursday, March 9, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING AFRICAN AMERICAN RAILROAD WORKERS AT THE MINNESOTA 
                         TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 9, 2023

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the history of 
Minnesota's African American railroad workers ahead of the new exhibit 
at the Minnesota Transportation Museum titled, ``Twin Tracks: African 
American Railroad Workers, 1919-1941'' curated by Marvin Anderson of 
Saint Paul, Minnesota, whose own grandfather worked as a Pullman 
porter. The exhibit will accurately highlight the crucial role that 
African American workers played in operating the early railroads by 
recounting the struggles and triumphs that they endured.
  The headquarters of three transcontinental railways constructed in 
the 1880s were located in the Twin Cities area. In the early 1900s, too 
many businesses were still refusing to hire African Americans. However, 
the Pullman Company, a large railway car manufacturer, quickly became 
the largest private employer of Black men in the nation. Working for 
the railroad offered young black men in St. Paul an opportunity to make 
a reasonable wage for the time, although it included difficult and 
dangerous working conditions. It also provided them with the unique 
opportunity to travel the country.
  These men were referred to as Red Caps, named for the red cap that 
was part of the uniform that they wore. Their job was to greet 
passengers and help carry luggage to the train. Working mostly for 
tips, the Red Caps were known for their friendliness and extensive 
knowledge of the city that they worked. Red Caps were largely 
responsible for enhancing the very positive reputation of the Union 
Depot in St. Paul, Minnesota. Today at the restored Union Depot, there 
is a room named in honor of the Red Caps who worked there for more than 
70 years.
  Another job made available for black men at the time was to be a 
porter. They were referred to as Pullman porters, named after the owner 
of the rail company, George Pullman. Often these porters were expected 
to answer just to ``George'' regardless of their own name. This is one 
example of the racism and discrimination that these workers endured, a 
relic of slavery when slaves were called by the name of their master. 
Pullman porters often worked up to 20 hours a day without rest tending 
to the needs of passengers. These needs ranged from serving food and 
beverages from dining cars, tending to their clothing and bedding and 
shining shoes.
  Red Caps and Porters were an important part of their communities. 
They were greatly respected, and many were leaders in the historic 
Rondo community of Saint Paul. Make no mistake, their work was vital to 
the success of the railroads and to the economic development of St. 
Paul and greater Minnesota, even though they faced difficult conditions 
and often dehumanizing treatment from their employers and at times, 
passengers. Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Marvin 
Anderson's work paying tribute to the African American railroad workers 
on display at the Minnesota Transportation Museum.

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