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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
20-151
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
December 17, 2013
To honor and recognize Virginia Ali for her dedicated service and contributions to the people of the District of Columbia, congratulate her as she celebrates her 80th birthday, and declare December 17, 2013, as “Virginia Ali Day” in the District of Columbia. .
WHEREAS, Virginia Ali was born in rural Tappahannock, Virginia on December 17, 1933;
WHEREAS, Virginia Ali attended Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia;
WHEREAS, Virginia Ali moved to Washington, D.C. after completing college at the age of 21;
WHEREAS, Virginia Ali’s first job was with the Industrial Bank of Washington, the only minority bank in Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, Virginia Ali, at the age of 24, married Ben Ali in 1958;
WHEREAS, Virginia Ali and her husband, Ben Ali, decided to open a restaurant after Ben’s dream of a career in dentistry was halted due to a severe injury;
WHEREAS, Virginia and Ben Ali purchased a building located at 1213 U Street and used their $5,000 savings to begin renovations;
WHEREAS, U Street was known as the “Black Broadway” for its live performances and entertainment;
WHEREAS, Virginia and Ben Ali, on August 22, 1958, opened Ben’s Chili Bowl for business;
WHEREAS, during the 1968 riots and during the time the neighborhood was experiencing increased drug activity, Virginia and Ben Ali continued to work and keep Ben’s Chili Bowl open and accessible not only to the neighborhood but to the city as well;
WHEREAS, Ben’s Chili Bowl has received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious “America’s Classics” award from the James Beard Foundation;
WHEREAS, in 2008, Ben and Virginia Ali were given the Key to the City by District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, and in 2009 Ben’s Chili Bowl received the American Dream Award by the National Restaurant Association;
WHEREAS, known for its chili hot dogs and half smokes, Virginia and Ben Ali’s restaurant is a Washington, D.C. historic landmark serving not only local visitors but visitors from all over the world;
WHEREAS, Ben’s Chili Bowl has catered to many renowned individuals, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Nat King Cole, Diana Washington, Harry Belafonte, Chris Rock, Bill Cosby, and President Barack Obama;
WHEREAS, Virginia and Ben Ali have over 50 years of success with Ben’s Chili Bowl, and the business continues to grow each day; and
WHEREAS, Virginia and Ben Ali have 3 sons, 2 of whom continue their parents’ legacy at Ben’s Chili Bowl.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Virginia Ali 80th Birthday Celebration Recognition Resolution of 2013".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors Virginia Ali for her outstanding contributions and invaluable service to the residents of Washington, D.C. and declares December 17, 2013, as “Virginia Ali Day” in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in
the District of Columbia Register.
