Minneapolis, MN (LifeNews.com) -- President Bush, today, inspired thousands of pro-life advocates with a videotaped message at the National Right to Life convention. He thanked the audience for their work in fighting to protect the lives of those threatened by abortion and discussed the kinds of measures he's signed into law.

"Because of your hard work and dedication, we're making progress," the president said. "We've reduced the number of abortions in American and introduced new laws that save lives."

President Bush signed some of the first pro-life laws following the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized unlimited abortion, including a ban on partial-birth abortions, a bill to protect pregnant women who are victims of violent attacks, and a measure requiring proper medical treatment for unborn children who survive botched abortions.

"Your efforts have played a key role in getting these key bills to my desk," Bush told convention-goers.

The president indicated he will continue to stand against using taxpayer money to fund organizations that promote or perform abortions overseas.

In addition to signing a ban on a form of abortion, President Bush said he's worked to help poor pregnant women not see abortion as necessary.

"My administration was the first to make unborn children eligible for health benefits and to provide prenatal care for pregnant mothers," Bush explained.

He said he would continue to support the work of crisis pregnancy centers that help women who find themselves pregnant unexpectedly.

The president added, "I will continue to support parental involvement laws so a Mom and Dad can counsel their daughter at the very moment she needs them most."

Because he wants to "foster a respect for human life at all its stages," President Bush said he would continue to oppose using tax money to pay for embryonic stem cell research. He also called again on Congress to pass comprehensive ban on human cloning for both reproductive and research purposes.

"We must always remember that human life is not a raw material to be exploited, but a sacred gift."

President Bush encouraged those attending the NRLC conference to remember, "We must continue to change more than laws -- we must change hearts and minds [and] persuading fellow citizens of the rightness of our cause."

Related web sites:
National Right to Life Committee - http://www.nrlc.org