National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.
The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing Federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America.
Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother.
America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life.
The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Did “YOU” ever think that “YOU” could have been ABORTED and not living now???
“MOMMY LET ME LIVE”
Thank you, Mr President Bush for knowing that life is a gift from God and that children are gifts to their parents. God bless you Mr President Bush. God bless America.
Thank you, President Bush for supporting the innocent, unborn children & acknowleging that God has placed each one in the womb. You have remained a strong & faithful leader. God bless you & your family.
I find this whole “Seperation of Church and State” Rather surprising of a philosophy don’t you? I have yet to see one legitimate case against abortion that does NOT involved the words “God, Creator, Almighty” or some form of a higher power.
The fact of the matter is that abortion is a right, and shouldn’t be infringed upon because it violates one group’s religious beliefs. Under that logic, should we not allow women to show any skin? It violates another groups beliefs
Wes, thanks for posting a comment. You might take a look at these articles that make the pro-life case without invoking God:
I Was Once a Fetus: An Identity-Based Argument Against Abortion
When do Human Beings Begin?
Human Personhood Begins at Conception
Wes–Yes those of us with a religious background do see the religious wrong of abortion more so than someone who does not. However without religion entered into the equations, there is still a moral issue worthy of being fought. Morals are not religion, it is simply the difference between right and wrong which some people are born with in the form of common sense. And just because this is my opinion (as is the rest of this statement), the seperation of church and state shouldn’t be viewed as a way to be immoral, and to take it one step further—to support the immoral.