Over the past few days, my children and I were in Washington DC on the invitation of the Treasury Chief of Staff Jim Wilkinson. On the first day, we had the general tour of Washington DC. It was a wonderful experience for all of us as well as an educational one for my children. It is quite different learning things from the text books versus experiencing things in person.

On the second day, we were on a special VIP tour to the Bureau of Printing and Engraving where money is actually being printed. We had access to areas not open to the public. We got to see the step by step process of how things are done from sorting the paper, the step by step printing process, the computerized scanning process and checking for bad money, the cutting, the packaging and wrapping, etc. What a process! It was fascinating to see the raw money paper and how each element is being printed from A to Z.

One of the funniest signs we saw was: “Free Money Tomorrow”. I guess the staff has been asked more than once if guests can keep the samples. It is always tomorrow 🙂

On the third day, We met the Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez (Secretary Gutierrez knows about the Miami-Dade College Chess team since he is Cuban American and very proud of their accomplishment) and the Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson as well as other important people.

Then we had a private lunch at the Department of Treasury with the Chief of Staff. He told me a fascinating story of how he learned chess. I will save this incredible story for later.

After lunch, I spoke to a group of about 20 very imporant senior staffers in Washington. One of the these people is the Treasury Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral (Ms. Cabral and Mr. Paulson’s signatures are both on all the new bills). I will publish the full list of participants soon. I must say it is quite an impressive list of people in our government.

At this hour long discussion, I presented the many benefits of chess and how it can create foundations for strong leadership.

Everyone was so supportive. We also discussed plans on how to further support chess. A major chess event at the Treasury Department and perhaps the White House is not out of the question. I will continue working with the Chief of Staff about this and update you with this. Chess in America has never received attention from this level before. This is ground breaking opportunity for US Chess!

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Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
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