Home Page Chess Life Online 2011 May Senatorial Nod for National Chess Day
Senatorial Nod for National Chess Day |
August 4, 2011 | |
National Chess Day (set this year for Saturday, October 8) has received a special boost on August 2nd when Senate Resoulution 255 passed unanimously. Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia again sponsored the resolution while two senators co-sponsored: Sen Lamar Alexander of Tennessee and Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan. See the final wording below and find a Wall Street Journal blog on the decision. See details on how you can benefit from National Chess Day promotions and share your National Chess Day experiences in a previous CLO article. 112TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. ll Designating October 8, 2011, as ‘‘National Chess Day’’ to enhance awareness and encourage students and adults to engage in a game known to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. ROCKEFELLER (for himself and Mr. ALEXANDER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on llllllllll RESOLUTION Designating October 8, 2011, as ‘‘National Chess Day’’ to enhance awareness and encourage students and adults to engage in a game known to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Whereas there are more than 76,000 members of the United States Chess Federation (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Federation’’), and unknown numbers of additional people in the United States who play the game without joining an official organization; Whereas approximately 1⁄2 of the members of the Federation are scholastic members, and many of the scholastic members join by the age of 10; Whereas the Federation is very supportive of the scholastic programs and sponsors a Certified Chess Coach program that provides the coaches involved in the scholastic programs training and ensures schools and students can have confidence in the programs; Whereas many studies have linked chess programs to the improvement of student scores in reading and math, as well as improved self-esteem; Whereas the Federation offers a school curriculum to educators to help incorporate chess into the school curriculum; Whereas chess is a powerful cognitive learning tool that can be used to successfully enhance reading and math concepts; and Whereas chess engages students of all learning styles and strengths and promotes problem-solving and higher-level thinking skills: Now, therefore, be it 1 Resolved, That the Senate— 2 (1) designates October 8, 2011, as ‘‘National 3 Chess Day’’; and 4 (2) encourages the people of the United States 5 to observe ‘‘National Chess Day’’ with appropriate 6 programs and activities. |