Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- As they have every year since 1973, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered in Washington for the March for Life to mourn a court case that paved the way for as many as 45 million abortions. Posted on 01/23/2004 5:51:21 AM PST by NYer
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- As they have every year since 1973, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered in Washington for the March for Life to mourn a court case that paved the way for as many as 45 million abortions.
Rather than the somber tone one would expect, pro-life advocates are upbeat at their prospects.
They point to polls that show a majority of Americans, including women and young people, are increasingly pro-life. Both the White House and Congress are controlled by pro-life advocates, pro-life legislation passed by Congress and signed by a president has become law for the first time, and, most importantly, abortions are on the decline nationwide.
Tom Reuwer, a TV weatherman from Harrisburg, Pa., who brought his 4-year-old daughter, Keely, told the Associated Press, "I think there is a real turn in the tide on this issue. I think there's more people who are anti-abortion than pro-abortion."
As he has done in the past, President Bush addressed the crowd just before the march began and was interrupted numerous times for applause.
"During the past three years we've made real progress toward building a culture of life in America," Bush said.
He touted some of the pro-life accomplishments of his administration, including signing the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, that protects newborns who survive botched abortion attempts, signing the partial-birth abortion ban, and making sure taxpayer funds don't go to groups that perform or promote abortions in other countries.
"We must continue with civility and respect to remind our fellow citizens that all life is sacred and worthy of protection," Bush said. "I know as you return to your communities you will redouble your efforts to change hearts and minds, one person at a time. And this is the way we will build a lasting culture of life, a compassionate society in which every child is born into a loving family and protected by law.
Many in the sea of pro-life people walking to the Supreme Court were in college or high school, giving longtime pro-life advocates hope for the future.
A Catholic rally preceded the march and some 15,000 gathered at the MCI center to hear pro-life messages.
Meanwhile, much smaller groups of abortion advocates held rallies and events around town to promote abortion.
Several members of Congress addressed the rally before the march, including:
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)
Reps. Christopher H. Smith (R-New Jersey),
W. Todd Akin (R-Missour),
Todd Tiahart (R-KS),
Steve Chabot (R-Ohio),
Jim Ryun (R-KS),
Melissa Hart (R-Pennsylvania),
Mike Pence (R-Indiana),
Ron Lewis (R-New York),
Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland),
Rick Renzi (R-Arizona),
Steve King (R-Iowa),
Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-Michigan),
Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), and
Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA).
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The following is a transcript of remarks by President Bush in a telephone call to Right to Life participants at the annual March for Life.THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much, Nellie. I appreciate your kind introduction, and thank you for including me in this celebration of life. I'm calling you today from Roswell, New Mexico. (Applause.) And it sounds like you've got some people who know where Roswell is here in the audience. (Applause.)
I know that good folks have gathered there on the Mall from every corner of America to take part in the 31st March For Life. And I want you to pass on my best to each one of them in person, please, and tell them how much I appreciate their devotion to such a noble cause. (Applause.)
You believe, as I do, that every person, however frail or vulnerable, is a blessing. (Applause.) Each of us has a special dignity, a place and purpose in this world. And in the Declaration of Independence, our founders stated this self-evident truth: The right to life does not come from government, it comes from the Creator of life. (Applause.)
During the past three years we've made real progress toward building a culture of life in America. As President, I've signed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. (Applause.) I have signed legislation supporting maternity group homes. (Applause.) Working with the Congress, we have refused to spend taxpayers' money on international programs that promote abortion overseas. (Applause.) We're opposed to the destruction of embryos for stem cell research. (Applause.) And last November, it was my honor to sign into law a ban on the brutal procedure of partial birth abortion. (Applause.)
Nellie, I want you to know that our administration is vigorously defending this law against those who would seek to overturn it in the courts. (Applause.) I also want you to know without your hard work and dedication to the cause of life, these achievements would not have been possible.
But we all know there is still more to do. Earlier this week, I proposed that we double federal funding for abstinence education programs. (Applause.) We will continue to support crisis pregnancy centers, adoption, parental notification laws, and the vital work of faith-based groups. (Applause.)
I strongly support the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which the House Judiciary Committee approved yesterday. (Applause.) And now the entire Congress should act on this bill so I can sign it into law. (Applause.)
We'll also work with Congress to pass without delay a comprehensive and effective ban on human cloning. (Applause.) We can push the limits of medical science while maintaining the highest of ethical standards. Human life is a creation, not a commodity, and should not be used as research material for reckless experiments. (Applause.)
Above all, we must continue with civility and respect to remind our fellow citizens that all life is sacred and worthy of protection. (Applause.) I know as you return to your communities you will redouble your efforts to change hearts and minds, one person at a time. (Applause.) And this is the way we will build a lasting culture of life, a compassionate society in which every child is born into a loving family and protected by law. (Applause.)
MS. GRAY: We pledge that to you, Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Nellie. I appreciate so very much the opportunity to speak to you and the assembled crowd. May God bless you all, and may He continue to bless America. (Applause.) Thank you very much. (Applause.)
Too bad he didn't bother to show up in person. Must have had more important things to do.
Please let me know if you want on or off my Pro-Life Ping List.
The children or grandchildren of those "abortionist/pro-death friends" may have to choose between their own children's college education and your health-care/nursing home services. Based on their experience with your belief in "personal choice" when it came to your self-interest (ie. unwanted pregnancy), so will it be their personal choice to put the college education of their children ahead of your right to life and/or health care.
"Abortionist/pro-death friends"---think about it.
Cable Channel, EWTN provided 4 hours of live coverage yesterday. This morning, I happened to flip around to C-Span2, just as they were playing portions of yesterday's march. It was immediately followed by the NARAL dinner from last night in Washington. The contrast was dramatic. From one frame filled with young families pushing strollers, high school & college youth, religious leaders shivering in the biting winds as they peacefully paraded towards the Supreme Court - to - a large group of well dressed personalities sitting down to dinner in an affluent setting.
One of the statistics mentioned at yesterday's march was that Planned Parenthood earned $53 million last year, strictly from abortions.
Another number you won't hear on the news is the current market price on parts of the fetus. One brain nets $999, a whole fetus is worth $1500, and so on.
Yes, of course. Just like the way they made a group of 100 women look like 100,000 at the Million Mom March. They estimated, yesterday, that the crowd far exceded 300,000.
Bush phoned in his statement from Roswell, New Mexico -- so perhaps he was trying to secure the Aliens' support for his 2004 re-election effort.
They did back him in the 2000 election, and have supported him on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Aliens Pledge Their Support In War With Iraq
But I don't think Bush can just take their endorsement for granted in this year's campaign. He had lost their support before 9/11.
Space Alien Rates George W. Bush: "He Stinks!"
Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas)
Reps. Christopher H. Smith (R-New Jersey),
W. Todd Akin (R-Missour),
Todd Tiahart (R-KS),
Steve Chabot (R-Ohio),
Jim Ryun (R-KS),
Melissa Hart (R-Pennsylvania),
Mike Pence (R-Indiana),
Ron Lewis (R-New York),
Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland),
Rick Renzi (R-Arizona),
Congressman Steve King - Iowa 5th Congressional District ... KING TO SERVE ON JUDICIAL WATCHDOG TASKFORCE
Washington, D.C.—Iowa Congressman Steve King joined House Majority Leader Tom Delay today in announcing the formation of the House Working Group On Judicial Accountability, on which King will serve. The group will work to encourage responsible federal judiciary, and identify and prevent judicial activism.
"For the last couple of generations, courts have taken an increasingly activist role in legislating from the bench, which by definition requires them to either ignore or subvert the intent of the Constitution and our nation’s laws. A flood of activist decisions from courts around the country, capped by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, has swept away the very rule of law itself and caused our Founding Fathers to roll over in their graves. The work of our taskforce will allow them to, someday, rest again in peace," said King.
This House working group will ensure that judges fulfill their duties without bias and without substituting their philosophy for the law. Some of their duties include:
Identifying bad laws that invite judicial activism and hopefully recommend legislation that will prevent it in the future;
Involving the House in more federal court nominations because we believe America deserves a United States Senate that will seriously consider this President’s mainstream and qualified nominees and allow them a vote;
Working with the Judiciary Committee on its vigorous oversight of the federal court system;
Rating Supreme Court decisions.
"It is an extraordinary honor for a non-lawyer to be named to this groundbreaking taskforce. Putting the cards in place to reestablish the checks of powers as designed by our Founders is the most important assignment that any Member of Congress could be asked to perform. Restraining a runaway judicial system requires significant changes in the educational programs in our universities and law schools. Providing a solution will require short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategic planning," King concluded.
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