Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 123.djvu/3621

 123STA T . 3 60 1 PROCL A M AT I O N8 33 9—J AN. 1 5, 2009 Proclam a ti o n83 3 9 o fJ an u ar y15,20 09 Nation a lS an c tit y o fHum an L if eD ay ,20 0 9BythePr e sid e n t of the U nited S t a tes of Am eri c a A Proc l amation Al l human l ife i s a g if t f ro m our C reator that is sa c re d, uni q ue, and w orth y of p rotection .O n N ational S anctity of H uman L ife D ay, our country recogni z es that each person, including e v ery person waiting to b e born, has a special place and purpose in this world. W e also under - score our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by spea k ing up for the weak and voiceless among us. T he most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the inno- cent. M y Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing F ederal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen ab- stinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. I n 20 02, I was hon- ored to sign into law the B orn-Alive Infants P rotection Act, which e x - tends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 200 3 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abor- tion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud to sign the U nborn V ictims of Vio- lence Act of 200 4, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or in j ury 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 har- ness 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 appeal- ing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail. NOW, TH ER EFORE, I, G EORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Con- stitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim J anuary 18, 200 9 , as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Ameri- cans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to under- score 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