Michael Clancy Rocked his Keynote Address

Michael Clancy delivered an inspiring keynote address at the 34th annual Respect Life dinner. Michael shared the story behind a photograph he took in 1999 while working for USA Today.

He was hired to photograph a spina bifida corrective surgical procedure. The surgery was performed on a 21-week old fetus in utero at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. During the surgery, Michael captured the remarkable moment when baby Samuel reached out of his mother’s womb and grabbed the doctor’s finger. Click here to see the photograph.

The photograph continues to spark the consciences of people around the world. There can be no denying that the hand we see belongs to a tiny human being. A human being that, as described by the Declaration of Independence, is endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Amen!

Michael Clancy signs his book after dinner

Great turn out for the Respect Life dinner

View of the crowd at the Respect Life dinner from other side of the room