PROCLAMATION
RECOGNIZING THE CHINESE ASSOCIATION OF HERCULES AND DECLARING FEBRUARY 25, 2025 AS CHINESE HERITAGE DAY IN THE CITY OF HERCULES WHEREAS, the United States of America has a rich history and diverse population of communities that have helped make our state and nation what they are today; and WHEREAS, Chinese Association of Hercules was established in 1979. This year marks 46 years of promoting the Chinese culture and providing a voice for the Chinese within the community. With currently over 220 members, the Association is open to everyone without regard to ethnicity or place of residence; and WHEREAS, the city of Hercules first began as Hercules Powder Company, a dynamite manufacturing plant. The techniques of their production were profoundly important to society, producing more than half the dynamite made on the West Coast, and as the largest TNT plant in America during World War I. Chinese immigrants made up a majority of the total workforce at the plant. Working under extremely dangerous conditions including nitroglycerine lines, many lives were taken by deadly explosions; and WHEREAS, in 2008, the Chinese Association, in partnership with the Hercules Historical Society, installed a plaque at Frog Pad Park to memorialize the lives of Chinese workers who from 1881 until 1912, worked at the Hercules Powder Works factory under treacherous conditions and where many died in anonymity; and WHEREAS, in 2024 the Association brought the community and families together through organized events such as the Chinese New Year banquet, Moon Festival celebration at Refugio Park, and Christmas party. The Association provided Lunar New Year decorations at the Hercules Library and Lai See at the New Year Celebration events. The Association participated in the Hercules Citywide Cleanup Day and “Team Up to Clean Up community events, and with the Senior Lunch Program, Tai Chi class, Yuen Jie class, and the Hercules Holiday Tree Lighting.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that I, Dion Bailey, Mayor of the City of Hercules, on behalf of the entire City Council and the Hercules community, do hereby recognize and congratulate the Hercules Chinese Association for their long-standing contributions that deepen the community’s understanding of Chinese history, traditions and the resiliency of the Chinese community in Hercules, and who continue to have a great impact on the nation’s growth and success. I do hereby proclaim February 25, 2025, as Chinese Heritage Day in the City of Hercules.
I further call upon all citizens of Hercules to celebrate the culture, heritage, and contributions made by Chinese residents past and present and to recognize the valuable role played by the Chinese Association in Hercules.
In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and cause the Seal of the City of Hercules to be affixed this 25th day of February 2025.
Dion Bailey, Mayor