[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H5028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1110
                   RECOGNIZING SIGHT & SOUND THEATRES

  (Mr. SMUCKER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  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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