TianGuo Marching Band Ceremony,Greeting from Dr. David Swann (AL)

TianGuo Marching Band Ceremony,Greeting from Dr. David Swann (AL)


The Tian Guo Marching Band

The Tian Guo Marching Band is an international phenomenon, existing in seven countries of the world. The first band was formed in New York City, U.S.A. in December 2005. Shortly after, branches formed in Western U.S.A., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan and Europe.

Although members are ethnically and culturally diverse, the majority of performers are Chinese. The age range for the musicians is from 10 to 66 and each band has 100-300 performers.

All musicians practice Falun Dafa, a self-improvement practice consisting of meditation, exercises and living according to the Universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

The band has performed at both stage and marching performances, including mainstream parades, ethnic community events and holiday festivities. The response to all performances in all countries has been the same in that the band is enthusiastically welcomed, applauded and asked to return.
Official Opposition Leader

David Swann was elected to his second term as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Calgary-Mountain View on March 3, 2008. On December 15, 2008, Dr. Swann became the leader of the Alberta Liberal caucus, Her Majesty's Official Opposition. He also serves as critic for Health and Wellness and Executive Council. Additionally, Mr. Swann serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Health.

During his first term Dr. Swann was environment critic and also served as deputy chair of the Standing Committee on Resources and Environment and as a member of the Private Bills Committee and the Standing Committee on Health.

Dr. Swann graduated from the University of Alberta with his B.MSc. in 1971, his MD in 1973 and from the University of Calgary with his FRCP(C) in 1988. He practised as a family physician from 1975 to 1984 and then as a public health consultant from 1988 to 2004.

Dr. Swann is active within his community and was responsible for initiating the Healthy City Project in Calgary in 1987. He was also a part of developing the first pesticide-free park in Calgary in 1998 and has been involved in a number of anti-sanctions, anti-war movements from 1995 to 2004, which included three trips to Iraq. He was involved in the publication of Finding My Voice for Peace (from Canada and the New American Empire, ed. George Melnyk). Dr. Swann was also honoured with the Gold Star Teaching Award in both 1999 and 2003 from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Dr. Swann has been actively involved in raising issues of human security and human rights both locally (farm-workers) and internationally (Darfur).

Dr. Swann and his wife, Laureen, have three children. During his free time he enjoys peace and justice work, music and singing, jogging, woodworking and writing.

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