Annette Lantos Tellemann-Dick at a reception after the show at the Kennedy Center Opera House.
WASHINGTON—Annette Lantos Tillemann-Dick, daughter of late Congressman Tom Lantos, attended the Shen Yun Performing Arts show at the Kennedy Center Opera House on August 25. Congressman Lantos was a Holocaust survivor and staunch defender of human rights. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 80.
Mrs. Tillemann-Dick said that the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice, founded by Mr. Tom Lantos to further human rights and justice in every corner of the world through education and social action program, has been an advocate and supporter of Falun Gong, the spiritual practice that is banned in China and its adherents are persecuted.
Mrs. Tillemann-Dick said in her speech, "Well, it is a great honor for the Lantos Foundation, as it always has been, to both be associated with and to advocate for the rights of Falun Gong, and all people all over the world to freely worship and to practice the things that are important to them."
Mrs. Tillemann-Dick continued, "There’s a certain level of human perfection that feels truly like the divine coming here and joining us on Earth, at least for a moment when we watch these exquisite and marvelous creations, not only physical, but spiritual, that are presented by the very beautifully trained and clearly devoted dancers and artists, and all the others who helped make this show possible: the producers, and the publicists, and everyone!"
Ms. Tillemann-Dick ended by saying in her speech, "The Lantos Foundation for human rights and justice feels that Falun Gong both in its presentations and in its teachings does so much to promote good in the world, to promote transcending of the ugliness that they have been afflicted by, and rather sharing beauty with others, and we are deeply honored and deeply inspired by everything you do, and we’re so happy to be part of this exquisite and uplifting presentation every time that it comes."
