[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 4 (Monday, January 26, 2004)]
[Page 113]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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 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.
    Ms. 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.