[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 21, 2009)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 3955-3956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-1361]



[[Page 3953]]

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Part IX





The President





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Proclamation 8339--National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009



Presidential Determination No. 2009-11 of January 15, 2009--Limited 
Waiver of Certain Sanctions Imposed by, and Delegation of Certain 
Authorities Pursuant to, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE (Junta's 
Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act of 2008



Notice of January 15, 2009--Continuation of the National Emergency 
Relating to Cuba and of the Emergency Authority Relating to the 
Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels



Notice of January 15, 2009--Continuation of the National Emergency with 
Respect to Terrorists Who Threaten to Disrupt the Middle East Peace 
Process
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  Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 21, 2009 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 3955]]

                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.

[[Page 3956]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E9-1361
Filed 1-16-09; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P