WASHINGTON -- Declaring that every life is "a gift from our
Creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection,"
President George W. Bush proclaimed Jan. 18, the Sunday before
the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, as National Sanctity of
Human Life Day. On this 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," he said in the
proclamation issued Jan. 15. Bush urged 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." On Jan. 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court
handed down the Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion,
and the Doe v. Bolton decision, which lifted state restrictions
on abortion. In his proclamation, the president noted that his
administration had been "committed to build