For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
June 15, 2004
President's Remarks Via Satellite to the Southern Baptist Convention
3:51 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank you very much, Jack. Thank
you all, very much. Thank you all. Thanks a lot. I appreciate that
kind introduction from a fellow Texan. And I'm grateful for the chance
to speak to this annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Jack, you've done a great job, and I'm proud to call you, friend.
Laura and I are also thankful for your prayers. I have felt them
at crucial hours. Your convention has a proud tradition going back to
your first gathering in Augusta, Georgia almost 160 years ago. You
represent more than 16 million Southern Baptists and congregations all
across our country, and many others who serve as missionaries far from
home. And all of you are living out the high-calling of spreading the
good news and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
Since I spoke to this convention two years ago, our country has
been meeting great challenges. To defend our nation, we have continued
to pursue terrorists wherever they hide and plan. And one by one, we
are bringing them to justice. (Applause.) In Afghanistan, we are
standing with the Afghan people as they move toward free elections. In
Iraq, America and our allies have set an entire nation free from the
rule of a dictator. And at the end of this month, the world will see a
sovereign government in Baghdad. (Applause.)
The rise of free societies in Afghanistan and Iraq will provide a
powerful example of liberty in a troubled region, and it will make the
American people more secure. There are tough challenges remaining in
both these nations. In Afghanistan and Iraq, we will finish the job.
(Applause.)
I appreciate your strong support for our efforts in the war on
terror. I understand, as you do, that freedom is not America's gift to
the world. Freedom is the almighty God's gift to every man and woman
who lives in this world. (Applause.)
We are grateful for the blessing to live in a free nation with the
strength to defend our nation. And we will always be grateful to the
brave men and women of the United States military who volunteer to
defend us all. (Applause.)
Here at home, we're making tremendous progress, and we've made
tremendous progress over the past few years. We've reduced the tax
burden on America's families and small businesses, leaving more money
in the hands that earned it, and therefore, adding momentum to the
growth of our economy. We've created more than 1.4 million jobs since
last August. And over the past year, our economy has grown at its
fastest rate in nearly 20 years. (Applause.)
We brought high standards and accountability to the public schools
so that no child is left behind. We've kept the commitments of
Medicare by extending the benefits of modern health care and
prescription drugs to millions of America's seniors and people with
disabilities.
We will build on our achievements in other areas, as well. I will
keep working to build a culture of life in America. (Applause.) I've
been proud to sign the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, and
legislation supporting maternity group homes. (Applause.) Earlier
this year, I signed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Common sense
and conscience tell us that when an expectant mother is killed two
lives are ended, and the criminal should answer for both crimes.
(Applause.)
Last November, I signed a law to end the brutal practice of
partial-birth abortion. (Applause.) This law is not only valid and
constitutional, it is compassionate and urgently needed, and my
administration will fight to uphold it. (Applause.)
We will also continue our support for crisis pregnancy centers,
incentives for adoption and parental notification laws. I propose to
double federal funding for abstinence programs in schools and
community-based programs. (Applause.) And I will work with Congress
to pass a comprehensive and effective ban on human cloning.
(Applause.) Life is a creation of God, not a commodity to be exploited
by man. (Applause.)
My administration is defending the sanctity of marriage against
activist courts and local officials who want to redefine marriage
forever. (Applause.) The union of a man and woman is the most
enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and
by every religious faith. And government, by strengthening and
protecting marriage, serves the interests of all. So I am calling for
funding for healthy marriage programs, and I support a constitutional
amendment to protect marriage as a union of a man and a woman.
(Applause.)
I will continue our efforts to defend the liberty of religious
organizations. Faith-based charities have a right to provide
publicly-funded social services, just like any other group. You see,
our government should welcome faith. So I have signed an executive
order allowing religious charities who seek government support to
compete for funding on a level playing field. I call on Congress to
codify my faith-based initiative into law, so that people of faith can
know government will never discriminate against them again.
(Applause.)
It is my responsibility as your President to make sure the judicial
system runs well, and I am meeting that duty. I have nominated superb
men and women for the federal courts, people who will strictly
interpret the law, not legislate from the bench as activist judges.
Some members of the Senate are resorting to unprecedented tactics to
block votes on my good nominees. This is unfair to the nominees, and
damaging to the judicial system. Every nominee deserves a fair hearing
and a timely vote on the Senate floor. It is time for those senators
to stop playing politics with American justice. (Applause.)
These years have brought trials we did not ask for, and challenges
we never expected to face. We have worked together, and we are rising
to meet the duties of our time. Now we look forward with confidence
and faith toward greater security and wider prosperity and a stronger
culture of life. We pray always for God's guidance and strength in our
lives and for this great nation.
I thank you for the opportunity to speak to this convention. I'm
sorry I couldn't be there in person. May God bless all of you, and may
God continue to bless the United States of America. (Applause.)
END 4:03 P.M. EDT
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