Good afternoon! I regret that I could not join you for your rally. I had to travel for an important family obligation. I believe this is the first Juneau rally I have missed in eleven years, but be assured that my thoughts and prayers are with you on this sad anniversary of the Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions.

Since that fateful day on January 22, 1973, the abortion controversy has raged on for more than a quarter century. For those of you in the trenches of the pro-life movement, it probably seems longer.

When a struggle drags on for so many years, with no end in sight, it is tempting for us to become discouraged. I urge you not to succumb to this temptation. Abortion is an entrenched, institutionalized evil in our world. And like other evils, it gives the false appearance of being a permanent edifice that is immune to change.

In the 19th century, the greatest institutionalized evil in our world was slavery. For the abolitionist reformers of that day, it must have seemed like an impossible task to demolish an institution upon which an entire economy and even a culture were based. But the abolitionists did not give up. They knew they were speaking the truth. They persevered - and they prevailed.

In the 20th century, the greatest institutionalized evil was communism, particularly Soviet communism. In the 1970s, Soviet communism had been around for more than half a century, and most of the so-called experts told us that it was here to stay. They urged Americans to accept this fact and learn to coexist with this monolithic evil. Back then, who would have dared imagine that by the end of the 20th century, Soviet communism would be on the ash heap of history?

Many people can take credit for the demise of Soviet communism - most notably the brave American servicemen who fought in Korea and Vietnam. But in the worlds of politics and religion, there were two great leaders who were most responsible. These two men rejected the idea that communism was something we can coexist with. In the face of much ridicule from "sophisticated" people, they denounced communism as a moral evil and urged its defeat. They persevered - and they prevailed. These two men were President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II. I do not believe it is a coincidence that both of these men who helped defeat the evil of Soviet communism are also opposed to the evil of abortion.

We are getting ready to enter a new century. In the 19th century, Americans brought an end to slavery. In the 20th century, Americans brought an end to Soviet communism. And I believe in the 21st century, Americans will come together to end the tragedy of abortion in our great country.

Here in Alaska, we are doing our part. In just the last two years, the Alaska Legislature ended state funding of abortions, banned partial-birth abortions, removed several pro-abortion members from the State Medical Board, and prohibited doctors from performing abortions on minors without first obtaining permission from a parent or judge. Several of these new pro-life laws are being challenged in court. We have continued the battle by hiring attorneys to defend these good policies from pro-abortion lawsuits.

We accomplished all of this in just two short years! With your help, we can accomplish even more during the next two years. If we persevere, we will prevail.

Thank you for your dedication to this cause. Thank you also for the moral support you have given me over the years. I pray that God will richly bless you and your family.