[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 17909] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BEN'S CHILI BOWL ______ HON. JOE WILSON of SOUTH CAROLINA in the house of representatives Thursday, July 31, 2008 Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, fifty years ago, on August 22, 1958, newlyweds Virginia and Ben Ali opened what is regarded now as a culinary landmark in Washington, D.C., Ben's Chili Bowl. The Ali family encountered numerous hardships on the way to establishing this neighborhood restaurant as a cultural symbol of camaraderie, tolerance and endurance. Ben's Chili Bowl became famous by consistently providing quality food for half a century such as their famous chili, half-smoke sausages, hamburgers and milkshakes. Over the years, the menu has expanded to include vegetarian options and a full breakfast. Celebrities such as Bill Cosby and Denzel Washington have visited the establishment, raising its national profile. Ben's Chili Bowl is now one of the most successful, longest-operating African-American owned businesses in America. The restaurant is expanding with Ben's II opening next door to their longtime establishment along with a restaurant located in the Washington Nationals' new stadium. Further, a book commemorating the 50th anniversary of Ben's Chili Bowl will be released in August 2008. Ben and Virginia Ali were inducted into the District of Columbia Hall of Fame in 1991, and while they have retired, their sons Kamal and Nizam are successfully carrying the family's business into the future. Congratulations to Ben, Virginia, Kamal and Nizam Ali for their family's work ethic, dedication and commitment to making Ben's Chili Bowl an American symbol of small business success for the past 50 years. ____________________