Recognizing Sight Sound Theatres

Floor Speech

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Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and recognize Sight & Sound Theaters for a milestone 50 years in business.

Known across the world for its Biblical epics on stage and screen, Sight & Sound began with Glenn Eshelman, a Lancaster County dairy farmer, and his passion for art, photography, and sharing his faith.

In 1976, the popularity of Mr. Eshelman's multimedia shows led him and his wife, Shirley, to establish their first theater in Ronks. Over time, they added live theatrical elements and debuted their first full- length Biblical production in 1987.

After their theater burned down in 1997, they built a state-of-the- art facility that would allow for the large-scale productions they are known for today. Since then, they have added a second location in Branson, Missouri, and developed a streaming platform to produce their own movies for the silver screen.

The name, Sight & Sound, is inspired by Matthew 13:13 where Jesus explains his use of parables saying, ``Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear. . . . ''

What began as a humble production company has since exploded into one of the top theater destinations in the U.S. with almost a million attendees each year. Today, Sight & Sound continues to be run by the Eshelman family and has a committed team of over 800 employees.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Sight & Sound for their strong message and the positive impact they have had across the entire world.

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