[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
[January 22, 2004]
[Pages 102-103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Telephone Remarks to the March for Life
January 22, 2004

    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. And it sounds like you've got some people who know 
where Roswell is here in the audience.
    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.
    You believe, as I do, that every person, however frail or 
vulnerable, is a blessing. 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.
    During the past 3 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. I have signed legislation supporting maternity 
group homes. Working with the Congress, we have refused to spend 
taxpayers' money on international programs that promote abortion 
overseas. We're opposed to the destruction of embryos for stem cell 
research. And last November, it was my honor to sign into law a ban on 
the brutal procedure of partial-birth abortion.
    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. 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. We will continue to support crisis pregnancy centers, 
adoption, parental notification laws, and the vital work of faith-based 
groups.
    I strongly support the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, which the 
House Judiciary

[[Page 103]]

Committee approved yesterday. And now the entire Congress should act on 
this bill so I can sign it into law.
    We'll also work with Congress to pass without delay a comprehensive 
and effective ban on human cloning. 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.
    Above all, we must continue, with civility and respect, to remind 
our fellow citizens that all life is sacred and worthy of protection. 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.
    Nellie 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. Thank you very much.

Note: The President spoke at 10:08 a.m. from Roswell, NM, to march 
participants on the National Mall in Washington, DC. In his remarks, he 
referred to Nellie J. Gray, president, March for Life Education and 
Defense Fund.