[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1055-E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-RIO GRANDE VALLEY'S CHESS 
                                  CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2018

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate The University of 
Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Chess Club for their victory at the 
President's Cup.
  The President's Cup, also known as the Final Four of Chess, 
determines the national

[[Page E1056]]

championship for the United States Chess Federation. The UTRGV chess 
team advanced to the President's Cup by placing in the top four at the 
Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship.
  Under the leadership of Coach Bartek Macieja, the team, composed of 
Grandmasters Calors Antonio Hevia Alejano, Vladimir Belous, Kamil 
Dragun, Hovhannes Gabuzyan, and Andrey Stukopin, won their first 
championship over five-time consecutive champion Webster University, 
two-time champion Texas Tech, and St. Louis University. UTRGV has a 
history of success, finishing in second place at a previous tournament.
  The UTRGV Chess Club competes at the state, national, and 
international levels. The group also helps promote chess within the 
local community by organizing tournaments, camps, and chess classes.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to honor the UTRGV Chess Club today. 
I wish them luck in future competitions and congratulate them on their 
national championship.

                          ____________________