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MEMPHIS, Tenn.—They say bipartisan civility cannot be found, but two representatives from opposite parties joined forces to honor Shen Yun Performing Arts at the Orpheum Theater on the evening of Feb. 26.
State Senator Jim Coley, who has visited China more than once, introduced himself in Mandarin, saying his name and that he is a teacher as well as an elected official.
State Rep. Joe Towns spoke from his heart, praising the artists for their portrayal of the courage of the spiritual discipline of Falun Gong, who ask for freedom of belief, but are continually oppressed.
“Certainly I would be remiss if I did not tell you how immensely profound this performance was to me,” he said. “I want to thank you for the courage you showed tonight by depicting the kind of messages we saw tonight to do with things that happen in China.”
“It’s so good for us to see it because there are people here who are willing to help.”
Rep. Towns said he was very moved by the dance about a mother and son, called No Regrets.
He said he felt a strong sense of human dignity in the face of injustice and oppression from that dance, adding that it was “beautifully done, penetratingly done. They were absolutely beautifully done. And I got it.”
The two elected officials presented the Shen Yun New York Company a proclamation from all their colleagues in the legislature.
House Resolution No. 22 in said in part, “This body takes takes great pride in recognizing those highly-acclaimed performers whose extraordinary talents, artistic mastery, and dedication to their cultural heritage distinguishes them as a truly unique yet integral part of America’s unrivaled multicultural society.”
The resolution called the company “an extraordinary organization of talented individuals.”
Reps Coley and Towns handed an official copy of the resolution to Master of Ceremonies, Jared Madsen, who thanked them and called on the assembled guests to keep enjoying themselves.
New York-based Shen Yun Performing Arts has three touring companies that perform simultaneously around the world. For more information, visit ShenYunPerformingArts.org
