Senator Yee to chair important hearing to discuss future of Sacramento’s railyard redevelopment

SACRAMENTO – The Senate Select Committee on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs will host their first hearing on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at 10:30 AM, State Capitol, Room 3191, Sacramento, California.  Several historians of Chinese American history will give presentations to the committee and discuss a proposed Chinese American Museum for the Sacramento railyard.  The downtown railyard, which is the same area of Sacramento’s first Chinatown, is a 240-acre site set for redevelopment. 

“From the levees to the railroads, Chinese immigrants have significantly contributed to major developments in California,” said Senator Leland Yee, Chair of the Select Committee.  “This hearing will give me and my colleagues an opportunity to hear the emotional stories of Chinese American history in California and allow us the opportunity to find better ways to recognize this history and the accomplishment of Chinese Americans.”

California is home to the largest Asian population outside of Asia itself.  The rich history, culture and contributions of Asian Americans have played a large role in building this state. Because of this long history, California is a natural ally to most countries in Asia and a place of predilection for immigrants. 

Chinese immigrants, one of the earliest populations coming from Asia to locate in California, have been instrumental in the development of cities such as San Francisco and Sacramento.  Beginning in the 1850’s, Chinese immigrants settled on the Sacramento river banks along I Street from Second to Sixth streets.  The newcomers called Sacramento, “Yee Fow,” or second city.  This area along the river banks, also called China Slough because of the concentration of Chinese encamped along its shore, became the center of the Chinese Community.

Scheduled to attend the hearing are representatives from the Sacramento Archives, California State Library, Ethnic Studies Department of the Sacramento State University, Chinese Culture Center of Locke, Chinese American Museum of Northern California, Sacramento API Chamber of Commerce, Union Pacific Railyard Company, Organization of Chinese Americans, and San Francisco State University.

###

Contact: Adam J. Keigwin,
(916) 651-4008