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
Lamh Foistenach Abu!