H.Res. 169 — Introduced in House

IV 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 169 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 18, 2013 Mr. Clay (for himself and Mr. Luetkemeyer) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of Saint Louis, Missouri, as the National Chess Capital 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 has hosted the United States Championship and United States Women's Championship each of the past 4 years (2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012) and the United States Junior Closed Championship in 2010, 2011, and 2012, the 3 most prestigious, invite-only chess tournaments in the Nation; Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis opened its doors in July of 2008, and since Saint Louis has become widely recognized as the chess center of the Nation; 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 over 100 schools and community centers across the greater Saint Louis area, targeting more than 3,300 students from 2011 to 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 the benefits of chess to every school-aged child; Whereas the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis provides instructors, equipment, and curricula to after school programs in the Saint Louis Community; 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 is the hub of chess activity for developing chess skills for students across the United States: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of Saint Louis, Missouri, as the National Chess Capital; (2) honors the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis as the thought-leader in chess education in the United States; and (3) encourages the National Chess Capital to continue promoting the educational benefits of chess among school children.