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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 102 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 102

Expressing support for the designation of Saint Louis, Missouri, as the 
``National Chess Capital'' of the United States to enhance awareness of 
    the educational benefits of chess and to encourage schools and 
   community centers to engage in chess programs to promote problem-
    solving, critical thinking, spatial awareness, and goal setting.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 18, 2013

  Mrs. McCaskill (for herself and Mr. Blunt) submitted the following 
 resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, 
                          Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Expressing support for the designation of Saint Louis, Missouri, as the 
``National Chess Capital'' of the United States to enhance awareness of 
    the educational benefits of chess and to encourage schools and 
   community centers to engage in chess programs to promote problem-
    solving, critical thinking, spatial awareness, and goal setting.

Whereas, in 2009 and 2011, the United States Chess Federation awarded Saint 
        Louis, Missouri, the title of ``Chess City of the Year'' and, in 2010, 
        the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis was named ``Chess 
        Club of the Year'';
Whereas Saint Louis hosted the United States Chess Championship and United 
        States Women's Chess Championship in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 and the 
        United States Junior Closed Chess Championship in 2010, 2011, and 2012, 
        which are the three most prestigious, invitation-only chess tournaments 
        in the United States;
Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis opened its doors in 
        July 2008, and since that date, Saint Louis has become widely recognized 
        as the emerging chess center of the United States;
Whereas chess promotes problem-solving, higher-level thinking skills, and 
        improved self-esteem;
Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis brings the 
        educational benefits of chess to thousands of students in more than 100 
        schools and community centers across the greater Saint Louis area, 
        targeting more than 3,300 students in 2011 and 2012;
Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis offers free classes 
        and lectures, weekly tournaments, private lessons, summer camps, and 
        field trips to expose school-aged children to the benefits of chess;
Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis provides 
        instructors, equipment, and curricula to after-school programs in the 
        greater Saint Louis area;
Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis offers a coaching 
        program to create a sustainable network of participating after-school 
        chess programs; and
Whereas Saint Louis has become a hub for developing chess skills in students 
        from across the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of Saint Louis, 
        Missouri, as the ``National Chess Capital'' of the United 
        States;
            (2) encourages the people of Saint Louis to continue 
        promoting the educational benefits of chess among school-aged 
        children; and
            (3) encourages all schools and community centers in the 
        United States to engage in chess programs to promote problem-
        solving, critical thinking, spatial awareness, and goal 
        setting.
                                 <all>
```