President Bush declared Jan. 19 National Sanctity of Human Life Day in response to the legalization of abortion 30 years ago.
In 1973 the Supreme Court decision in Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion in the United States. Even today, America feels the effects of this ruling, and citizens battle the issue continually.
In his proclamation to America on Sunday, President Bush spoke of having “compassionate alternatives to abortion,” such as encouraging adoption and promoting abstinence education.
Bush expressed his desire to achieve the “promises of the Declaration of Independence for all including those without the voice and power to defend their own rights.”
“Every child is a priority and a blessing, and I believe that all should be welcomed and protected by law,” said Bush in an earlier proclamation. He expressed his desire “to build a culture that respects life.”
The conflict lies within the issue of the right to make decisions compared to the legality of what constitutes human life.
The American Civil Liberties Union argues that individuals should maintain their reproductive rights without government interference: “Our mission is to ensure that every person can make informed, meaningful decisions about reproduction free from intrusion by the government,” the ACLU wrote.
Many individuals support the right to choose yet call for responsibility.
“If you feel that you are mature enough and in the position to bring a life into the world you should be prepared to deal with the consequences of your actions,” said Katie Pigford of Meridian. “This [National Sanctity of Human Life Day] is a positive step for reminding America of its morals and to rebuild the importance of a family.”
More conservative individuals argue that a fetus is a human life and that abortion is murder. As the president said, many believe that no child is a mistake and all should be given an opportunity for life.
While National Sanctity of Human Life Day does not change the law, it does call the past into account. It serves to challenge the thoughts of Americans on long-debated and controversial issues such as legalized abortion.