Life is the greatest gift that has been given to each of us. It should be cherished, respected and protected from the moment of conception to its natural conclusion. The law is not the only means of protecting life, but it plays a key and often decisive role in affecting both human behavior and thinking. It is the position of the Alaska Family Council that individuals elected to public office have a duty to make courageous choices in support of life. Public officials are privileged in a special way to apply their moral convictions to the policy arena. Promoting respect for life should be one of the most fundamental areas those in positions of authority should uphold. No human being, regardless of size, age or level of development, race, gender, or place of residence, including those in the womb or those in a nursing home, should be excluded from the moral community of human persons.