    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [January 24, 2005]
    [Pages 72-73]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Telephone Remarks to the March for Life
    January 24, 2005

        Nellie, thank you. Thanks a lot for
    inviting me to speak. I know it's chilly there in Washington, but
    weather hasn't stopped thousands of participants from marching for life
    for the past 32 years, and it did not this year, either. And so I'm
    honored to be a part of this tremendous witness that is taking place in
    our Nation's Capital, and it's good to hear your voice again.
        You know, we come from many backgrounds--different backgrounds, but
    what unites us is our understanding that the essence of civilization is
    this: The strong have a duty to protect the weak.
        I appreciate so very much your work toward building a culture of
    life, a culture that will protect the most innocent among us and the
    voiceless. We are working to promote a culture of life, to promote
    compassion for women and their unborn babies. We know that in a culture
    that does not protect the most dependent, the handicapped, the elderly,
    the unloved, or simply inconvenient become increasingly vulnerable.
        The America of our dreams, where every child is welcomed in law--in
    life and protected in law may still be some ways away, but even from the
    far side of the river, Nellie, we can see its
    glimmerings. We're making progress in Washington. I've been working with
    Members of the Congress to pass good, solid legislation that protects
    the vulnerable and promotes the culture of life. I've signed into law a
    ban on partial-birth abortion. Infants who are born despite an attempted
    abortion are now protected by law. So are nurses and doctors who refused
    to be any part of an abortion. And prosecutors can now charge those who
    harm or kill a pregnant woman with harming or killing her unborn child.
        We're also moving ahead in terms of medicine and research to make
    sure that the gifts of science are consistent with our highest values of
    freedom, equality, family, and human dignity. We will not sanction the
    creation of life only to destroy it.
        What I'm saying now is we're making progress, and this progress is a
    tribute to your perseverance and to the prayers of the people. I want to
    thank you especially for the civil way that you have engaged one of
    America's most contentious issues. I encourage you to take heart from
    our achievements, because a true culture of life cannot be sustained
    solely by changing laws. We need, most of all, to change hearts. And
    that is what we're doing, seeking common ground where possible and
    persuading increasing numbers of our fellow citizens of the rightness of
    our cause.

    [[Page 73]]

        This is the path to the culture of life that we seek for our
    country. And on its coldest days and one of our coldest days, I
    encourage you to take warmth and comfort from our history, which tells
    us that a movement that appeals to the noblest and most generous
    instincts of our fellow Americans and that is based on a sacred promise
    enshrined in our founding document, that this movement will not fail.
        And so on this day of compassion, where warm hearts are confronting
    the cold weather, I ask that God bless you for your dedication, and may
    God continue to bless our great country. And thank you for letting me
    share this moment with you, Nellie.

    Note: The President spoke at 12:11 p.m. from Camp David, MD, to march
    participants at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. In his remarks, he
    referred to Nellie J. Gray, president, March for Life Education and
    Defense Fund.