[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 123, 111th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

123 STAT. 3601
 
PROCLAMATION 8339--JAN. 15, 2009

Proclamation 8339 of January 15, 2009
National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

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