National Sanctity of Human Life Day Approaches; Issues Covered Expand Beyond Abortion Debate
Contact: Diane Morrow, 800-927-1517, dmorrow@tbbmedia.com
DALLAS/FORT WORTH, Jan. 12 /Christian Newswire/ -- Falling this year on January 21, National Sanctity of Human Life Day was first set aside by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 to commemorate the lives lost through the legalization of abortion in the United States of America. Since that first declaration, it has been recognized on the Sunday that falls closest to the anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision of January 22, 1973.
Although abortion is still at the forefront of concern on this day, the issues have been expanded to bioethics at large. The day has come to represent the American commitment to protecting human life based on the belief that every human being has rights, dignity, and value. As the proclamation by President Bush last year stated, the day is meant to "strengthen our resolve in creating a society where every life has meaning and our most vulnerable members are protected and defended including unborn children, the sick and dying, and persons with disabilities and birth defects."
Recent issues include:
• Cloning/Stem Cell Research
• Euthanasia/Physician Assisted Suicide
• Genetics
• Medical Decision-Making/End of Life Issues
• Abortion
As a spokesperson for issues involving sanctity of life, David Gibbs, lead counsel on the highly publicized end of life Terri Schiavo case, has been traveling recently speaking most frequently on end of life concerns. Gibbs, who represented the Schindlers (Terri's parents), suggest people get neither overwhelmed at the scope of the problems nor try to ignore them altogether. Rather, he suggests that change begin "from the inside out...with the hearts and minds of each of us."
Gibbs also serves as General Counsel for the Christian Law Association and has written a book on the case called Fighting For Dear Life: The Untold Story of Terri Schiavo and What it Means For All of Us. He will be speaking across the country in reference to National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2007.
David Gibbs is available for interviews and speaking engagements.
Contact Diane Morrow dmorrow@tbbmedia.com 800.927.1517