Remarks by the President in Signing of
H.R. 2175, Born-Alive Infants Protection Act
Pittsburgh Hilton
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
12:58 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much for this bill signing ceremony. I'm
pleased to sign it in the great city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The history of
our country is the story of a promise, a promise of life and liberty made at our
founding and fulfilled over the centuries in our laws. It is a story of
expanding inclusion and protection for the ignored and the weak and the
powerless. And now we extend the promise and protection to the most vulnerable
members of our society.
Today I sign the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act. This important legislation
ensures that every infant born alive -- including an infant who survives an
abortion procedure -- is considered a person under federal law. (Applause.) This
reform was passed with the overwhelming support of both political parties, and
it is about to become the law of the land.
I appreciate so very much Senator Rick Santorum and Congressman Steve Chabot
from Ohio for sponsoring this important piece of legislation. I also appreciate
Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and Congresswoman Melissa Hart for coming,
as well. I want to thank the Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Bishop Wuerl,
for being here. It's good to see you again, Bishop.
I appreciate Hadley Arkes, the Professor of
Jurisprudence and American Institutions at Amherst University. I want to thank
Jill Stanek, registered nurse, Labor and Delivery Unit, Christ Hospital and
Medical Center, for being here, as well. I appreciate Gianna Jessen, who is an
abortion survivor and a pro- life advocate. I want to thank Dr. Watson Bowes,
who is a Professor Emeritus of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of
North Carolina.
I want to thank you all for coming. It's important that you're here, to send a
signal that you're dedicated to the protection of human life. The issue of
abortion divides Americans, no question about it. Yet today we stand on common
ground. The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act establishes a principle in
American law and American conscience: there is no right to destroy a child who
has been born alive. (Applause.) A child who is born has intrinsic worth and
must have the full
protection of our laws.
Today, through sonograms and other technology, we can clearly -- see clearly
that unborn children are members of the human family, as well. (Applause.) They
reflect our image, and they are created in God's own image.
The Born-Alive Infants Protection Act is a step toward the day when every child
is welcomed in life and protected in law. (Applause.) It is a step toward the
day when the promises of the Declaration of Independence will apply to everyone,
not just those with the voice and power to defend their rights. This law is a
step toward the day when America fully becomes, in the words of Pope John Paul
II, "a hospitable, a welcoming culture."
Our society has enough compassion, wealth, and love to care for mothers and
their children, and to see the promise and potential of every life. In
protecting the vulnerable and the weak, the imperfect and the unwanted, you are
affirming a culture of life.
I'm grateful for your perseverance on behalf of this noble cause. I want to
thank you for your hard work. I appreciate your care for every member of the
human family. Thank you for coming today. It's now my honor and pleasure to sign
into law the Born- Alive Infants Protection Act. (Applause.)