Posted on 01/22/2007 4:06:13 PM PST by jwalsh07
"Yes, Nellie, thank you. (Applause.) Thank you very much, Nellie.
And I want to thank everybody there for taking part in today's March for Life. I appreciate so very much the devotion to such an honorable cause, and the good work everyone is doing to defend life.
And, Nellie, it's good to hear your voice again, and I thank you very much for giving me a chance to visit with you and the crowd that is assembled there on the Mall. (Applause.)
It is important for all Americans to remember that our Declaration of Independence states that every person has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. (Applause.) It also states that these rights come from our Creator, and that governments are formed to secure these rights for all their citizens. And we believe every human life has value, and we pray for the day when every child is welcome in life and protected into law. (Applause.)
Nellie, I want to thank you very much, and the members of Congress there who have worked hard to make progress toward this goal over the last six years. I want the folks assembled there to know that we're making progress. We promoted adoption, support parental notification laws, ended federal funding for abortions overseas, and are funding crisis pregnancy programs. (Applause.)
I had the privilege of signing legislation that extends legal protection to children who are born, despite abortion attempts, allows prosecutors to charge those who harm or kill a pregnant woman with harming or killing her unborn child, as well. (Applause.) I signed into law a ban on the cruel practice of partial-birth abortions, and we will vigorously defend that law in the courts.
Nellie, what I'm saying is, is that we're building a culture of life here. And I want to thank you and everybody assembled for helping. We are a caring nation, and our values should also guide us on how we harness the gifts of science. New medical breakthroughs bring the hope of cures for terrible diseases and treatments that can improve the lives of millions. Our challenge is to make sure that science serves the cause o humanity instead of the other way around. (Applause.)
Last summer I vetoed a bill that would support the taking of innocent life in the hope of finding medical benefits for others, and I have made it clear to the Congress we must pursue medical advances in the name of life, not at the expense of it. (Applause.)
As we move forward, we've all got to remember that a true culture of life cannot be built by changing laws alone. We've all got to work hard to change hearts. We will find areas where we can agree and, at the same time, work to persuade more of our fellow citizens to join this great cause. The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. And so I say, go forth with confidence that a cause rooted in human dignity and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens cannot fail.
Again, Nellie, thank you very much. I appreciate your dedication to this important cause. I send my thanks to all there on the Mall. I ask for God's blessings on your work, and that God continue to bless our country. (Applause.)
Thank you." President George W. Bush
Other speakers included Presidential candidates Duncan Hunter and Sam Brownback.
This is the first March my wife and I have missed in quite a while. And to tell the truth, even though we had our reasons, I feel like I didn't do my part. To those who were there, I say thanks.
And thank you for all those who have made their voices heard, in D.C. and everywhere. (Proverbs 24:11)
Good pic!
Do our pro-life friends know that Hunter introduced HR 579 (Right to Life Act) in 2003?
Duncan Hunter will pass muster very easily with the pro lifers I've met down there and I've met a helluva lot of them. But Sam Brownback is there year in and year out and walks the talk on abortion. I disagree with him on Iraq and the borders as well but he's a good man. I just don't think he's got the fire in his belly that I think Hunter does. And of course DH has walked the talk with the 173rd which immunizes him from the Chris Mathews of the world and their chicken hawk balogna.
Cspan says that the Rally will be shown shortly after midnight for 2 hours. Of course, they are notoriously unfaithful to conservative programming schedules.
March for Life thread.
In a live appearance at Minnesota's March for Life, Governor Tim Pawlenty said much the same thing. His words were to the effect that if we keep working to change the hearts of our neighbors, changes in the makeup (and decisions) of legislative and judicial bodies will necessarily follow.
If I have my facts right, the kids at the front of the march are from my home town of Lincoln,IL. They attend Lincoln Christian College and Seminary, and students from this fine school have been at (I think) every march, and have carried the banner at the front of the march every year. Awesome huh?
I am remiss in not attending the march this year. Being in community with other like minded people is powerful and uplifting. Way more important than that, is the demonstration of conviction to the world, that abortion is wrong (barbaric and perhaps best described as evil incarnate,) and that the pro life movement is not going away.
It is, aptly put; a holocaust.
I happen to think that being a pro life family is similar to being a military family. It becomes a part of us and then becomes our legacy. A good legacy I think. Regards.
((( BUMP ))) FOR LIFE!
Yup, those who haven't experienced it are missing something. The young folk there are absolutely uplifting and terrific. We've had 5 of our grandkids walk that route with us in the past years and the oldest is now only 7. The 7 year old is very wise and says the darndest things. :-}
Just found out, thanks. How about the text of that piece of legislation... got it handy?
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