McCollum Statement on Recognizing African American Railroad Workers at the Minnesota Transportation Museum

Mister 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. Mister 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.