SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 861

	WHEREAS, The Texas Senate is pleased to congratulate
The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
chess team for winning the Southwestern Collegiate Chess
Championship competition held in Dallas February 26 and 27, 2005; and
	WHEREAS, Founder and team captain Erick Vallarino and 
players Ricardo Acevedo, Victor Flores, Vincent Flores,
Antonio "Tony" Espino, and Luis Gomez represented the university 
at the event; they triumphed over teams from 13 other colleges 
and universities to capture the championship; and
	WHEREAS, Five of the six players won in the first round 
though they were ranked lower than players from other schools, 
which included teams from The University of Texas at Austin and 
Dallas, Texas A&M University, and Louisiana Tech University; and
	WHEREAS, Erick and Victor tied for first place, and Tony 
played to a draw with the Dallas grand master, which proved to be 
a major factor in determining the team championship; and
	WHEREAS, Most of the team members have been playing chess 
since elementary or middle school in Brownsville; under the 
guidance of Coach Roman Dzindzichashvili, the team was well 
prepared and focused and ultimately dominated the competition; and
	WHEREAS, The members of this highly respected chess team 
demonstrated great talent and perseverance, and they deserve to be
recognized for their outstanding achievement; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby commend the members of The University of Texas
at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College chess team for their 
exceptional skills and congratulate them on winning the 
Southwestern Collegiate Chess Championship; and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
them as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.
                                                                           Lucio




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 12, 2005.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate