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WHEREAS, in the spring of 2007, Mr. Alex Shabalov won his fourth national United States Chess Championship; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shabalov also won the championship in 1993, 2000 and 2003; and
WHEREAS, in 1998, Mr. Shabalov was ranked 25th in the world in chess; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shabalov has represented the United States in four chess Olympiads and he made the Olympic team for the 2008 chess Olympiad, which will be held in Dresden, Germany; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shabalov immigrated to the United States from Latvia in 1992, and became a United States citizen in 1998; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shabalov is 39 years old and resides in Squirrel Hill with his wife Olga and his two daughters, Anna and Kathy; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shabalov studied under former World Champion Michael Tal, also known as the "Magician from Riga"; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Shabalov is the owner of two House of Chess stores, one of which is located in Ross Park Mall and the other is located in the Great Northern Mall in Cleveland.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City Pittsburgh recognizes Mr. Shabalov's prestigious achievements and congratulates him on his fourth national title; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh hereby declares June 12, 2007, "Alex Shabalov Day" in the City of Pittsburgh.