WHEREAS, to mark the 46th year since the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, we join with the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, and mourn the millions of lives cut short, and the tremendous promise lost as a result of abortion on demand; and
WHEREAS, as a state, we must resolve to protect innocent human life at every stage. As Governor, I am committed to the promise made in our Declaration of Independence to protect Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. I recognize that without Life, there is no Liberty. Without Liberty, there is no freedom for the individual Pursuit of Happiness. My policy will always be to defend human life at all stages; and
WHEREAS, Alaska stands with the nation as the opioid scourge leaves no State or community unscathed, we are encouraged by the President’s efforts to help children born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome, to adopt Title X regulations to prohibit the use of tax dollars to fund abortion as part of “family planning” and to ensure the right of conscience of those like the Little Sisters of the Poor; and
WHEREAS, we must do everything we can to protect the sanctity of life for the most vulnerable and defenseless among us, including people with disabilities. Americans with disabilities like Down Syndrome are an inspiration and their example of joy and perseverance enriches our lives – they should never be targets for abortion; and
WHEREAS, our Constitution and our laws contain many protections for innocent life, and I will work with the Alaska Judicial Council to encourage the nomination of Judges who believe the Constitution is a fundamental contract between the People and their government; and
WHEREAS, as Governor, I commend the pro-life Alaskans who have volunteered to help prevent the deaths of innocent unborn children. For more than 46 years, courageous and faithful citizens, many from college campuses and high schools across Alaska, from all walks of life, have extended a helping hand to all those expectant parents experiencing an unexpected pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, for decades our fellow Alaskans have stepped forward as volunteers, as neighbors, and as parents by adopting babies and children. As the late Mother Teresa famously said, there is never a need to abort your unborn child, I will take every one. Alaskans are prepared to stand in the gap to save every child; and
WHEREAS, as your Governor, I am committed to protecting innocent life every day and at every stage. We must stand tall as a state, and show respect and love for the dignity and worth of every person, at every stage of life – the unborn, the aged, the disabled, the mentally ill – all our most vulnerable neighbors; and
WHEREAS, I respectfully encourage all Alaskans to care for women with unexpected or unwanted pregnancies, to support adoption and foster care, and to ensure that every child can be raised to live the life they choose.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim January 22, 2019, as:
Right To Life Day
in Alaska, and I encourage each and every Alaskan to consider the loss of laughter, of tears, and of life itself of the generations lost through abortion.
