Honoring the Contributions of Chinese Railroad Workers
For their Instrumental Role in the Development of Richmond For Asian American, Native Hawaiian,
and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, during the 19th century, more than 12,000 Chinese immigrants came to the United States and played a critical role in building the Transcontinental Railroad, enduring grueling labor conditions, discrimination, and dangerous terrain to connect the eastern and western parts of the nation; and an estimated 1,200 or more Chinese workers died during its construction due to landslides, explosions, harsh weather, and dangerous working conditions in the mountains and deserts; and
WHEREAS, these workers, though long overlooked by official histories, contributed significantly to America’s economic expansion, industrial development, and the transformation of transportation, and they deserve rightful recognition for their sacrifice and achievements; and
WHEREAS, the expansion of the railroads was pivotal in the transformation of Richmond from a rural area into a vital industrial hub on the West Coast, bringing jobs, goods, and national connectivity to the city; and
WHEREAS, the arrival of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in the early 20th century was a key driver in Richmond’s economic and population growth, linking the city to national markets and attracting shipyards, factories, and housing developments to support a thriving working-class community; and
WHEREAS, the legacy of the Santa Fe Railway lives on through BNSF Railway—the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway—which was formed through a merger of the Burlington Northern Railroad and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, and continues to operate one of the largest freight networks in North America, including critical infrastructure in and around Richmond; and
WHEREAS, Atchison Village, one of Richmond’s oldest and most storied neighborhoods, was named after Atchison, Kansas, the eastern terminus of the Santa Fe Railway, and stands as a living reminder of the city’s deep connection to the railroad industry and the labor that built it; and
WHEREAS, Chinese laborers, though often denied citizenship and subjected to exclusionary laws, laid the groundwork for future generations of Asian American communities in Richmond and across the United States, contributing to the city’s rich cultural diversity and spirit of resilience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED , that the Richmond City Council honors the legacy of the Chinese railroad workers and acknowledges their instrumental role in shaping the infrastructure, economy, and multicultural identity of Richmond and the nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Richmond reaffirms its commitment to telling inclusive histories, confronting past injustices, and celebrating the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and throughout the year.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring Flora Ninomiya
and the Legacy of Japanese American Nurseries in Richmond for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions, resilience, and cultural richness of AAPI communities across the United States; and
WHEREAS, Japanese immigrants and Japanese Americans were among Richmond’s earliest agricultural pioneers, establishing numerous family-run nurseries and greenhouses in the early 20th century that provided flowers, ornamental plants, and produce throughout the East Bay; and
WHEREAS, by the 1930s and early 1940s, more than 20 Japanese nurseries flourished in Richmond, making the city a leading center of Japanese American horticultural enterprise and a cornerstone of its early economy; and
WHEREAS, despite their prosperity and integration into civic life, Japanese American families were forcibly removed from their homes and businesses in 1942 under Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of over 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II; and
WHEREAS, among those affected was Flora Ninomiya, a Richmond-born child who was incarcerated along with her family during this unjust period of U.S. history. After the war, she returned to her hometown and has since become a tireless advocate for education, remembrance, and justice; and
WHEREAS, Flora Ninomiya continues to work with community organizations, schools, and civic institutions to share the story of Richmond’s Japanese American community, preserve its legacy, and ensure future generations learn about both the contributions and the struggles of Japanese Americans; and
WHEREAS, her voice and presence remind us of the strength, dignity, and grace of those who endured systemic injustice and still chose to rebuild and give back to the communities they call home; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond recognizes Flora Ninomiya as both a living witness and a community treasure, whose story symbolizes the broader history of Japanese American families whose labor, resilience, and spirit helped shape Richmond’s past and inspire its future.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2025 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and recognize Flora Ninomiya for her lifelong dedication to education, remembrance, and justice, and for her embodiment of the enduring legacy of Japanese American nurseries and families in Richmond, California.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring Mona Afary
For Outstanding and Dedicated Service to Refugees and Immigrants During Asian American, Native Hawaiian,
and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States; and WHEREAS, Mona Afary, Ph.D., a proud Richmond resident and Iranian American immigrant, has dedicated her life to the empowerment of refugees and immigrants through the founding of the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (CERI) in 2006; and WHEREAS, CERI was established to support survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide— many of whom were suffering from untreated trauma and extreme poverty—and under Mona’s leadership, CERI successfully fought to restore unjustly cut disability benefits and reinstate dignity and stability to these forgotten community members; and WHEREAS, over nearly two decades, CERI has grown to serve more than 1,200 individuals annually from at least 10 diverse immigrant and refugee communities, including Cambodian, Burmese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Tibetan, Afghan, Eritrean, Indonesian, and Hmong families, providing services in 28 languages; and WHEREAS, Mona has created a pioneering, culturally rooted mental health and social services model that integrates trauma -informed care, community organizing, legal advocacy, and healing arts, while centering dignity, equity, and belonging; and WHEREAS, through CERI, Mona has empowered a new generation of community leaders—such as Kanley Souet Pich, who successfully stopped the deportation of her husband and now leads CERI’s deportation defense program, which has since secured the freedom of over 50 individuals; and
WHEREAS, Mona Afary exemplifies feminist, humanist, and relational leadership, building an organization where care is power, collaboration is key, and every individual is seen, valued, and heard; and
WHEREAS, CERI, under Mona’s guidance, stands as a model of resilience, justice, and compassionate service that has transformed countless lives and continues to inspire others across California and beyond.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and the Richmond City Council, do hereby recognize and honor Mona Afary for her unwavering commitment to healing, justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities, and for her extraordinary contributions to the cult ural and humanitarian fabric of Richmond during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring Susun Kim
For Visionary Leadership and Service to Survivors in Richmond and Beyond
During Asian American, Native Hawaiian,
and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of AAPI individuals who strengthen our communities and advance justice, equity, and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Susun Kim, a proud Asian American woman and long-serving legal advocate, has devoted over 30 years to supporting survivors of interpersonal violence and driving trauma-informed, systems-level change across Contra Costa and Solano Counties; and WHEREAS, as the Executive Director of the Contra Costa/Solano Family Justice Centers, she leads a network of five sites, including one in Richmond, offering critical services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kim has played a vital role in Richmond’s Task Force to End Gender - Based Violence, partnering with city leaders and community stakeholders to co- create survivor-centered, prevention-focused solutions to end cycles of harm; and WHEREAS, she has launched transformative initiatives including the Family Justice Institute, multidisciplinary response teams, restorative justice pilots, and elder abuse prevention programs; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Kim is a founding member of the California Family Justice Center Network and the Immigrant Action Network, and is helping lead the creation of the SAFE Center, which stands for Safety, Access, Freedom, and Empowerment, to support and uplift immigrant survivors and families; and
WHEREAS, she currently chairs the Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse and Stand Together Contra Costa, and previously served as Managing Attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid; and
WHEREAS, Susun Kim has received multiple honors for her leadership, including being named 2020 Woman of the Year by California Assembly District 14 and 2021 Woman of the Year by California Senate District 7; and
WHEREAS, her visionary leadership, compassion, and deep commitment to equity have touched thousands of lives and left a lasting impact on the Richmond community and beyond.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby recognize and honor Susun Kim for her extraordinary contributions as an Asian American woman leader, and for her enduring service to survivors, families, and the broader community during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring The Lao Family Community Development, Inc.
For Its Lifelong Commitment to Uplifting Refugee, Immigrant, and Underserved Communities During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of AAPI communities in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Lao Family Community Development, Inc. (LFCD) was founded in 1980 in the City of Richmond as a grassroots self -help organization to assist Laotian refugees resettling in the Bay Area, and over the last 45 years has grown into a nationally recognized, multi-service nonprofit providing culturally responsive care to over 35,000 individuals annually across four counties in Northern California; and
WHEREAS, LFCD remains deeply connected to the City of Richmond —its birthplace and former home for ten years—serving an estimated 2,640 Richmond residents per year through a range of health, housing, employment, and reentry programs; and
WHEREAS, the organization has provided free tax preparation services to 165 Richmond residents through its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, delivered housing support to 72 individuals through its AB 109 Reentry and Homeless to Housing initiatives in collaboration with four local landlords, and connected Richmond residents to employment through its Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program; and
WHEREAS, LFCD also maintains partnerships with three health clinics located in Richmond and engages Richmond- based employers through its San Pablo office, further deepening its contributions to the city’s workforce and public health systems; and
WHEREAS, LFCD continues to uplift the health, well -being, and economic mobility of immigrants, refugees, seniors, transitional -age youth, survivors of violence, the reentry population, and others with barriers to opportunity—using a trauma-informed and people- centered model that has helped nearly 500,000 individuals achieve greater resilience and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby recognize and honor Lao Family Community Development, Inc. for its founding legacy in Richmond and its ongoing service to the Richmond community and the greater region, and celebrate its commitment to dignity, healing, and equity during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring the Yemeni American Community
for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the diverse heritage, resilience, and invaluable contributions of AAPI communities across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond is home to a vibrant Yemeni American community whose members have enriched the city through entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and civic engagement; and
WHEREAS, the Yemeni American Association – Bay Area, a nonprofit rooted in Richmond, has played a vital role in uplifting local Yemeni families through leadership, social services, and advocacy—while never seeking public funds but serving tirelessly out of commitment to the people; and
WHEREAS, the Yemeni community has championed small business ownership, community mediation, public health, immigrant support, and the advancement of youth through organizations such as the Yemen United Soccer Academy (YUSA) and Support Life Foundation, and the Bay Area United Academy offering essential programs in education, wellness, food, and economic justice; and
WHEREAS, the City recognizes the extraordinary efforts of Yemeni leaders and community members who serve without expectation of recognition, acting as cultural bridges and protectors of intergenerational resilience.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby recognize the month of May 2025 as AAPI Heritage Month in the City of Richmond and honor the Yemeni American Association of the Bay Area and the entire Yemeni community for t
heir historic and ongoing
contributions to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of Richmond.
_____________________ _________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring Wat Lao Rattaanaram Temple
for Asian American, Native Hawaiian,
and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond proudly celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month by recognizing the rich cultural traditions, resilience, and contributions of API communities that have shaped the social, economic, spiritual, and cultural fabric of our city; and
WHEREAS, the temple relocated to its permanent home at 2417 Barrett Avenue in Richmond, California in 2003, where it continues to serve as a center of spiritual guidance, cultural preservation, and community empowerment; and WHEREAS, Wat Lao Rattanaram Temple provides religious services including meditation, chanting, blessings, and important observances such as Magha Puja, Vesak Puja, and Asalha Puja, while also offering cultural education through Lao language, cooking, and traditional dance classes for families across the East Bay; and WHEREAS, the temple’s principles are rooted in the Noble Eightfold Path of Theravada Buddhism, which emphasizes ethical conduct (sila), mental concentration (samadhi), and wisdom (panna), and promotes mindfulness, generosity, and spiritual awakening as a path to peace and compassion; and
WHEREAS, Wat Lao Rattanaram Temple continues to uphold these values by fostering intercultural understanding, preserving Lao heritage, and welcoming all who seek spiritual refuge and community connection; and WHEREAS, the City of Richmond honors Wat Lao Rattanaram Temple for its decades of dedicated service to the Lao, Cambodian, Thai, and broader Bay Area Buddhist and interfaith communities, and recognizes its vital role in advancing cultural richness and spiritual well-being in Richmond.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby proclaim honor Wat Lao Rattanaram Temple during Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024 and express our deepest appreciation for its.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring Ali Saidi
For Visionary Leadership and Service to Immigrant Communities in Richmond and Contra Costa County For Asian American,
Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of AAPI individuals who strengthen our communities and advance justice, equity, and opportunity; and
WHEREAS, Ali Saidi, a proud Iranian American immigrant and dedicated legal advocate, has devoted more than twenty years to defending individuals harmed by systems of mass incarceration and deportation, advancing both litigation and policy reforms that uphold dignity and human rights; and
WHEREAS, as Director of Stand Together Contra Costa, Mr. Saidi leads the county’s rapid-response and immigration- legal-services program, ensuring timely representation, know-your-rights education, and emergency support for immigrant families across Contra Costa County, including many in the City of Richmond; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Saidi has taught criminal-defense pre-trial advocacy at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, and has practiced criminal and deportation defense throughout the Bay Area, including before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and
WHEREAS, he has played a pivotal role in county initiatives—serving on the Measure X Community Advisory Board, the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee, and the core team that launched the Contra Costa Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice—thereby advancing equity for all residents; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Saidi is a founding member and Board Director of the Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance, an active participant in the Contra Costa Racial Justice Coalition and the Reimagine Public Safety Contra Costa Campaign, and a co- founder of the Immigrant Action Network, which is establishing the Services & Access for Everyone (SAFE) Center to provide a welcoming hub for immigrant communities; and
WHEREAS, his visionary leadership, legal expertise, and unwavering commitment to immigrant justice have touched thousands of lives and strengthened the social fabric of Richmond and the greater Contra Costa region.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby recognize and honor Ali Saidi for his extraordinary contributions as an AAPI leader, and for his enduring service to immigrant families and the broader community during Asian America n and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025
Honoring the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) For Uplifting Asian Immigrant and Refugee Communities in the Fight for Environmental Justice During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month
WHEREAS, the month of May is nationally recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities across the United States; and WHEREAS, the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) was founded over thirty years ago in response to the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit, which called on communities to build an Asian immigrant and refugee presence in the environmental justice movement; and
WHEREAS, APEN launched its first organizing project , then known as the Laotian Organizing Project, in Richmond in 1995, and has since grown to build a powerful membership base among Laotian and Asian refugees and immigrants in Richmond, Chinese immigrants in Oakland, and more recently Asian immigrant communities in the South Bay of Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, APEN has fought for over three decades to make communities healthier and more just, leading grassroots campaigns that have resulted in significant wins, like organizing for the creation of a multilingual emergency warning system and Partnering with the EPA to educate Laotian residents on health risks; and
WHEREAS, additional wins include advocating for and helping to pass the “No Coal in Richmond” ordinance in 2020, in collaboration with local organizations , as well as elevating youth voices to the state level, training young people to speak directly to California air regulators about a future beyond oil and gas; and WHEREAS, partnering with RYSE Resilience & Liberation Hub to bring community solar and green job opportunities to Richmond neighborhoods, and supporting the work of its sister organization, APEN Action, which has successfully secured critical resources and investments for the Richmond community; and
WHEREAS, APEN continues to stand as a model of multigenerational, multilingual grassroots leadership in the fight for environmental justice, climate resilience, and a regenerative economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, on behalf of the Richmond City Council, do hereby recognize and honor the Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) for its enduring legacy of advocacy and empowerment in Richmond, and for its unwavering dedication to uplifting Asian immigrant and refugee communities
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___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Councilmember Soheila Bana City of Richmond District 4 May 27, 2025