Answering with Reason, with Kindness, and Clarity.(Editorial)

Editor's note. The following is the official transcript of Vice President Richard Cheney's April 20 remarks to the NRL Educational Trust Fund's Proudly Pro-Life Awards Dinner.

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you all. Your dinner is getting cold.

Well, thank you very much, Darla [St. Martin, NRLC's associate executive director], for that kind introduction. And let me thank all of you for that warm welcome this evening, and for the invitation to be here tonight with you. I've been looking forward to joining you this evening because I'm proud to stand with the good people of National Right to Life. And I extend good wishes to all of you from our President, George W. Bush.

I especially want to congratulate tonight's honoree, Pat Boone. I shouldn't tell this story, but when I was in high school first dating my wife, Lynne, everybody listened to Pat Boone. Just hearing his name brings back some great memories for our whole generation of Americans.

Over the years, Pat has become more than a great performer, with his fine family, his convictions, his good-heartedness, and his life that is a testimony to faith in God, Pat Boone has gained the admiration of millions of Americans.

We honor him tonight for his special commitment to the cause of life. When you look around and see people of Pat Boone's character standing with you, you know you're helping to lead a good cause. Pat, congratulations.

Pat Boone receives an award tonight that's been given over the years to Governor Robert Casey, John Cardinal O'Connor, and the Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. That's the best of company, and tonight's honor is made even greater because of the group that bestows it. For 31 years, the National Right to Life Committee has led a great movement of conscience, and your good influence is felt not just within our country, but also in other nations and international institutions.