    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 13, 2007]
    [Pages 738-740]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Satellite Remarks to the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting
    June 13, 2007

        Thank you all very much. Thanks for the warm welcome, Frank, and thanks for your kind introduction. I really
    appreciate you giving me a chance to speak to the annual meeting of the
    Southern Baptist Convention, right there in my home State of Texas. I
    appreciate the fact that messengers from all over the Nation have
    gathered in San Antonio this week. You could have chosen a cooler time
    of the year to visit, but I'm sure you'll still experience our famous
    Texas hospitality.
        I appreciate the fact that you're meeting to join in prayer and to
    seek a common direction for the ministry of Southern Baptist churches. I
    thank you for your Christian witness, I thank you for your defense of
    religious liberty, and I appreciate your many good works that make our
    Nation a stronger and more hopeful place. See, every day Southern
    Baptists are giving back to their communities and ministering to those
    in need. And you made our Nation stronger as a result.
        You have contributed millions of dollars to fight world hunger and
    logged countless hours in disaster relief and rebuilding. You've
    provided training to lift people out of poverty and dependency, and
    you've spread the Gospel. You've loved your neighbors as yourselves. In
    other words, you've made a great contribution to our country, and I
    appreciate that.
        I also appreciate the fact that Southern Baptists are supporting our
    brave men and women in uniform and their families. I know you pray for
    their safety as they defend our people and extend the hope of freedom to
    the oppressed across the globe. I appreciate the fact you've sent care
    packages and tend to the spiritual needs as military chaplains or kneel
    in prayer. I thank you as you support those who volunteer to serve our
    Nation.
        Just like our troops, you have the gratitude of the Commander in
    Chief as we do the hard work necessary to defend our country and, at the
    same time, lay the foundation of peace.
        I appreciate the fact that Southern Baptists understand the
    importance of fair-minded and impartial judges to our democracy. I was
    proud to nominate John Roberts and Sam
    Alito to the Supreme Court. And I will
    continue to nominate good judges who will interpret the law and not
    legislate from the bench.
        Southern Baptists have committed to building a culture of life, and
    my administration shares that great goal. Since taking office, I've
    signed the Born Alive Infants Protection Act and the Unborn Victims of

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    Violence Act, also known as Lacy and Connor's Law. I've refused to fund
    programs overseas that promote or perform abortions. I used my first
    veto on a bill that would have compelled American taxpayers to support
    the deliberate destruction of human embryos. And I will veto any bill
    Congress sends me that violates the sanctity of human life.
        I worked with Congress to pass the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act,
    and since I spoke to you last year, the Supreme Court upheld this vital
    law.
        I believe building a culture of life in our country also means
    promoting adoption and teaching teen abstinence, funding crisis
    pregnancy programs, and supporting the work of faith-based groups. In
    defending the lives of the weakest and the most vulnerable members of
    our society, we reflect the compassion and humanity of America. And we
    will continue to work toward the day when every child is welcomed in
    life and protected in law.
        I thank the Southern Baptists who are working to promote a culture
    of life abroad by helping lead the fight against malaria and HIV/AIDS.
    Southern Baptists run hospitals and provide medical care to many
    suffering from malaria and HIV/AIDS across Africa. In Uganda, Southern
    Baptists sponsor an abstinence program called True Love Waits. And
    thanks to efforts like yours, Uganda has made progress against HIV/AIDS.
    And now you're building on the success by expanding this important
    program to six more countries in Africa.
        My administration shares your sense of urgency in the fight against
    these terrible diseases. And that's why we created a $1.2 billion
    malaria initiative to provide protection to people in some of the most
    heavily affected countries in Africa. So far, we have helped more than
    10 million Africans, and we expect to reach a total of 30 million people
    by the end of 2007.
        We're also combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. In 2003, my
    administration launched a $15 billion Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
    And thanks to the generosity of the American people and support in
    Congress, we have supported lifesaving treatment for 1.1 million people
    infected with HIV in some of the poorest nations on Earth.
        This program makes a huge difference in saving lives. And so last
    month, I asked Congress to double our initial commitment and provide an
    additional $30 billion for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and care over
    the next 5 years. And the reason why is, is because I firmly believe,
    like Southern Baptists believe who are working to raise awareness about
    the suffering that takes place in the world, that to whom much is given,
    much is required. And by dealing with disease, infectious diseases, we
    can make the world a better place, and that helps us here at home.
        I also believe it helps lift our soul and lifts our spirits when we
    help those who suffer among us. And that's why I strongly support what
    you're doing and helping to do in the Darfur region of Sudan. I
    appreciate the fact that my friend, Richard Land, is working tirelessly to help those suffering in that
    troubled nation.
        For too long, the people of Darfur have suffered at the hands of a
    government that is complicit in the bombing, rape, and murder of
    innocent civilians. The world has a responsibility to end this genocide
    and to hold accountable those perpetuating the violence. And America has
    taken the lead. So 2 weeks ago, I announced new actions to address this
    persecution. The Department of Treasury is tightening existing economic
    sanctions against Sudan, and we're imposing additional ones. Secretary
    Rice is working with our allies to draft a
    new U.N. Security Council resolution that will seek to impose new
    sanctions, expand an arms embargo, and prohibit Sudan's Government from
    conducting offensive military flights over Darfur.
        The people of Darfur are crying out for our help, and the Southern
    Baptists and

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    the United States will not turn away because we believe that what
    matters overseas matters here at home.
        God has blessed our Nation with prosperity and great abundance. And
    I firmly believe, like you, that we should use our resources to help
    those that need here at home, and help those who need abroad.
        And this is a central part of the work of the Southern Baptist
    Convention. You're rising to meet the challenges of broken souls in a
    broken world with compassion and courage. You're living out the call to
    spread the Gospel and proclaim the Kingdom of God. And I thank you for
    your leadership, and I thank you for the prayers that you offer to Laura
    and me. And I thank you for your strong voice in the public square.
        May God bless you, and may God bless America. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke by satellite at 11:43 a.m. from the Map Room
    at the White House to the convention meeting in San Antonio, TX. In his
    remarks, he referred to Frank S. Page, president, Southern Baptist
    Convention; and Richard Land, president, Southern Baptist Convention's
    Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.