[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 128 (Tuesday, August 6, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING KEVIN FITE'S CONTRIBUTION TO THE CHILDREN OF DETROIT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 6, 2024

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Coach Kevin 
Fite, a resident of Detroit and the leader of the Detroit City Chess 
Club (DCCC). His efforts in ensuring that the Metro Detroit youth have 
a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment is worthy of 
commendation.
  The DCCC was born out of the competitive chess team at Detroit 
Duffield Elementary and Middle Schools in the early 2000s. Inspired by 
the interest of his students who wanted to continue their competitive 
playing after leaving Detroit Duffield, Coach Fite set up a meeting 
with the Detroit Institute of Arts to discuss using their space for his 
players. The meeting went well, and the DIA has been the host of the 
DCCC for the last 21 years.
  Over the years, the DCCC has grown from a few students from Detroit 
Duffield to reaching thousands of kids from all over the Metro Detroit 
area. DCCC not only reaches kids but has a large following of adults 
that regularly play every Friday evening. DCCC students have traveled 
all over the United States competing and winning National 
Championships. One of their star players, Charisse Woods, represented 
the United States two years in a row at the World Youth tournament in 
2018 (Greece) and 2019 (India). She is the first player in Detroit 
history to compete on the world stage.
  Detroit City Chess Club has also hosted the Thinkers series chess 
tournament for the last 10 years to provide kids in Metro Detroit the 
opportunity to hone their skills. Along with putting on tournaments, 
the DCCC has hosted many grandmasters to play games of give lectures, 
like 5-time U.S. champion Hikaru Nakamura and 7-time U.S. female 
champion Irina Krush.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in honoring Coach 
Kevin Fite, a man who has been committed to improving the lives of the 
children who also call the city of Detroit home. His efforts over the 
last 20+ years is a glowing example of spreading kindness and joy in an 
increasingly hostile world. We thank him for his efforts, and we are 
excited to see what the students of the DCCC can accomplish over the 
next 21 years. I thank Coach Fite.