[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 45, Number 2 (Monday, January 19, 2009)]
[Page 74]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

 January 15, 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.
    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.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 11:15 a.m., January 16, 
2009]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
January 21.