The White House Gets it Right ...

... or why I really like Mr. George W. Bush! ==========================================
Here's a proclamation that came out of the White House yesterday (Thursday, 1/15/09 -- my parents' 54th wedding anniversary):

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

=======================

How cool is this as one of the last acts of Mr. Bush's presidency?

I really like this guy. Back in 2001 when he was first inaugurated, we were up in D.C. from North Carolina for the National March for Life (which also coincided with his inauguration and all the hoopla attached to that). This year ... just days after National Sanctity of Human Life Day ... we will inaugurate a new president, one who is not pro-life but is pro-choice ... but we'll be at the March on Thursday and hope that the new president listens to us just a little bit!

Bless you, Mr. Bush, for speaking out and for your service to our country for the past eight years. I may not have agreed with everything you've done, but I do agree with much of what you've done. Blessings and prayers to you and yours ....

=======================

Oh, and how cool is the fact that National Sanctity of Human Life Day 2009 will be on Lego Maniac's 10th birthday!

HT: Rachel Teti