WASHINGTON (AP) - As Pro-Life advocates gathered to mark the 29th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing the abortion, President Bush said "the right to life itself" is chief among the rights on which the American republic is founded.

In the proclamation Bush underscored the "inalienable rights" asserted by the signers of the Declaration of Independence. "Chief among them is the right to life itself," the president said.

The signers "recognized that an essential human dignity is attached to all persons by virtue of their very existence," Bush said.

Bush's proclamation was issued as anti-abortion groups began a series of events aimed at demonstrating continued opposition to the Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion a legally protected right in almost all circumstances.

Rock for Life, a youth group, planned four days of events, including picketing at the Department of Health and Human Services and a rally at a local hotel.

In the proclamation, Bush cited Thomas Jefferson's belief that the care of human life and happiness is the first object of good government and said that principle extends to "caring for children - born and unborn."

Bush called on Americans to reject "the notion that some lives are less worthy of protection than others."

"We should peacefully commit ourselves to seeking a society that values life - from its very beginnings to its natural end," he said.

The president linked his remarks to the events of Sept. 11, saying the response to the terrorist attacks provided "a greater understanding about the value and wonder of life."

Bush's proclamation called on all Americans "to reflect upon the sanctity of human life."

"Let us recognize the day with appropriate ceremonies in our homes and places of worship, rededicate ourselves to compassionate service on behalf of the weak and defenseless, and reaffirm our commitment to respect the life and dignity of every human being," the proclamation said.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Thousands of abortion foes rallied Tuesday to mark the 29th anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling allowing abortion, cheered on by President Bush, who told them even unwanted children should be "welcomed into life and protected in law."

The rally and a later march from the monument across town to the Supreme Court commemorated the 29th anniversary of the 1973 Roe vs. Wade ruling that recognized women's constitutional right to choose abortion.

Bush was seen as a patron by the abortion opponents, with one mammoth sign reading, "Michigan Loves Our Pro-Life President."

Other banners represented other areas, including "Tennessee Right to Life," "West Virginia Teens for Life" and even "Cheeseheads for Life" -- from Wisconsin, a key dairy state.

Several signs featured graphic images of dismembered human fetuses, and one placard compared Planned Parenthood, which offers reproductive services including abortion, with the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11 hijack attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

Bush's words were greeted with thunderous applause, and came two days after National Sanctity of Human Life Day, which Bush proclaimed.

"President Jefferson's timeless principle obligates us to pursue a civil society that will democratically embrace its essential moral duties, including defending the elderly, strengthening the weak, protecting the defenseless, feeding the hungry, and caring for children -- born and unborn,'' Bush said in his proclamation.

'DIGNITY OF HUMAN BEINGS'

That was in tune with many in the Washington group, including Sister Marie Ignatius, who carried the banner of United for Life of San Francisco. She said she came to the rally "because it's giving witness to the importance and dignity of human beings, each person, from conception to natural death."

They also noted Bush's reimposition of the so-called global gag rule that forbids international family planning organizations from mentioning abortion if they accept U.S. funds.

"The political deck is stacked against the women of the country," said Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "Those who oppose the freedom to choose believe that this is their time."

Feldt and other abortion rights advocates said Bush's judicial appointments, at the federal appeals court level and potentially on the Supreme Court, could endanger the abortion rights set out in the Roe ruling.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 /U.S. Newswire/ -- "Every year, more and more young people come to Washington, D.C., on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling to stand up against the slaughter of our generation," said Bryan Kemper director of Rock For Life, a division of American Life League. "Twenty-nine years ago the Supreme Court declared war on a group of people. The very persons who survived the Roe decision are coming here to protest the pro-death Supreme Court and pray for those justices and our nation."

Beginning Jan. 19, hundreds of pro-life youth will be coming from all over the country to spend four days with Rock For Life, the nation's fastest growing youth pro-life organization. All these youth will be wearing Rock For Life sweatshirts that read "abortion is homicide." This shirt has become very popular with high school students, many of whom have been harassed by school administrators for wearing attire deemed "inappropriate" or even "offensive."

Schedule of events: -- Saturday, Jan. 19 -- Rock For Life concert, featuring Hangnail, Cool Hand Luke and Jennifer's Regret at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 7 p.m.

-- Sunday, Jan. 20 -- Candlelight prayer vigil at the Supreme Court, 7 p.m.

-- Monday, Jan. 21 -- Picketing and news conference at Health and Human Services 10:30 a.m.; pro-life youth rally, featuring Joe Scheidler, Judie Brown, and Bryan Kemper at the Hyatt Regency, 7 p.m.

-- Tuesday, Jan. 22 -- Rock For Life Concert featuring Hangnail and Cool Hand Luke on Constitution Ave. between 14th and 15th streets. The bands will lead hundreds of youth wearing "abortion is homicide" sweatshirts into the March for Life, 10:30 a.m.

No, I'm not against women who've had abortions or women, feeling backed into a corner with no where else to turn, who are thinking about having one right now.... No, I'm not against women at all ~ I'm against being told only partial truth ~ I'm against not being told the truth at all...

And by the way, the woman who fought for the right to have an abortion in Roe vs. Wade, now chooses life and is a Pro-Life advocate ~ and that is the truth.

I'm against organizations such as Planned Parenthood who claim to be "pro-choice" and yet don't give women a REAL "choice" by providing ALL the facts and choices and help available... I'm against the abortion pill RU486... "simply take this one little pill, go home all alone, spend 3 days sick.... and if it gets too bad.... go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. I'm against the nightmare called "partial birth abortion" which, by all rights should be called "murder." I'm against the cosmetic companies using "placenta" in their products that comes from abortion mills.... For that matter, I'm against animal testing too....

I'm against cloning human fetal tissue in the name of science... Hey, you and I were once a little piece of human fetal tissue too... When I was a kid of around 4 years old ~ scientists had a "theory" that we dream in black and white... Even then, from my own remembered dreams, I knew that wasn't true... Scientists now know we dream in full color... I wonder how long it will take them to admit that their "theory" that cloning human fetal tissue isn't cloning a human being is wrong too... And what will happen before they admit that they're wrong...

And I'm against the words that I heard when growing up, "Its ok to have an abortion before "it" becomes a baby..." because these words simply aren't true.

With love,

Susan