[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 51 (Thursday, March 23, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E376-E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF BELOVED DALLAS RESTAURANT WILLIAMS 
                                CHICKEN

                                  _____
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 23, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is with great 
pride and a watering mouth that I celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 
most famous chicken restaurant in all of North Texas--Williams Chicken. 
What started as one `chicken spot' in 1987 has now become a successful 
chain with over 40 stores including 20 franchises, and in addition to 
being responsible for the best wings you can find in the Dallas area, 
it boasts 500 employees.
  Williams Chicken's amazing growth and story is due to the 
entrepreneurial spirit of its founder and CEO, Hiawatha Williams. 
Williams Chicken's humble beginnings are only

[[Page E377]]

as humble as Mr. William's start himself, coming from a small Texas 
town then going to Paul Quinn College in Dallas. After learning the 
ropes of the industry at a nationwide fast-food corporation, Williams 
left to found Williams Chicken, to serve great food to the great people 
of Dallas.
  Mr. William's story of entrepreneurship is an inspiration to business 
leaders in the greater Dallas community--but it is particularly 
important to the African-American community. Not only has he created a 
successful business, but he has chosen to practice his give-back spirit 
by conducting major outreach in education, youth programs, and 
corporate philanthropy. He and his restaurant have shown many young 
people in Dallas that it is possible to create a successful and 
meaningful business.
  Though he can be found in numerous magazines and on TV often, 
Williams will be the first to say his kind family, his wife Doris and 
his two adult sons who work in the business, are the ones who keeps him 
reinforced. Mr. Speaker, Hiawatha Williams is an impressive man with an 
incredible business, and the taste of his chicken is only outweighed by 
his taste for the community.

                          ____________________