Contact: Levan Vasadze, Chairman, World Congress of Families X, 815-997-7106, media@worldcongress.org
 
TBILISI, Georgia, May 18, 2016 /Christian Newswire/ -- Former U.S. President George W. Bush was honored with the "FAMLIA ET CIVITAS - Family and Democracy" Pro-Life Award at the World Congress of Families X in Tbilisi, Georgia (www.worldcongress.ge).  The theme of the Tenth Jubilee, World Congress of Families X was "Civilization at The Crossroads: The Natural Family as the Bulwark of Freedom and Human Values."

This pro-life award for Bush's work to promote a culture of life and family, comes more than a decade after Georgians celebrated and honored President Bush, by naming the road to the Tbilisi international airport "George W. Bush" Highway in recognition of the former President.

President George W. Bush also sent his support and best wishes for success to the gathering.  Larry Jacobs, Managing Director World Congress of Families read the following letter from the President to the delegates to World Congress of Families.

I send greetings to those gathered for the World Congress of Families X in Tbilisi, Georgia.   

As the first sitting U.S. President to visit Georgia, I was honored and humbled by the appreciation and enthusiasm  expressed to me by the Georgian people gathered in Tbilisi's Freedom Square in 2005.  I repeat the words that I spoke to them then, 'Georgia is a beacon of liberty for this region and the world.  The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not travel it alone ... the American people will stand with you.'

Around the world, families provide that beacon of freedom and the source of help, hope, and stability for individuals and nations.  As one of the pillars of civilization and the bulwark of liberty, families must remain strong and we must defend them.  To ensure that future generations are prepared to face new opportunities and challenges, as President, I took steps to promote strong families, preserve the sanctity of marriage and protect the well-being of children.  Laura and I have always believed in encouraging adoption and supporting the crisis pregnancy center programs to help us continue to build a culture of life.
 
I commend your efforts to recognize the importance of families in building nations.  Your work improves many lives and makes the world better.
 
Laura joins me in sending our best wishes.

World Congress of Families unites leaders worldwide in defense of family, faith, and freedom by: (1) Affirming the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (2) Promoting the natural family as the fundamental and only sustainable unit of society and (3) Defending the dignity and sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death.

President Bush has greeted previous World Congress of Families events, including the World Congress of Families III held in Mexico City in 2004 which was also addressed by Mexican First Lady, Mrs. Martha Fox. 

President Bush commended the efforts of the World Congress to "recognize the importance of families in our society. Around the world, families are the source of help, hope, and stability for individuals and nations. As one of the pillars of civilization, families must remain strong and we must defend them during this time of great change. Your work improves many lives and makes the world better," declared Mr. Bush.  

President Bush is the first sitting U.S. President to visit Georgia and his visit in 2005 to Tbilisi's Freedom Square was enthusiastically received by the Georgian people.  "Georgia is a beacon of liberty for this region and the world," Mr. Bush said. "The path of freedom you have chosen is not easy, but you will not travel it alone ... the American people will stand with you."

A local Georgian official commented on the President, "As Georgians, we have a special connection to President Bush as he was the first U.S. President to visit our great homeland, one of the oldest Christian nations on earth.  Mr. Bush won a place in our hearts as he danced to Georgian music and declared our nation to be a beacon of liberty and freedom for the world.  He gave us hope that we could maintain our Georgian traditions of family, faith, and freedom while partnering with America and the West."

For more information on World Congress of Families X, visit the Congress websites: www.worldcongress.ge and www.worldcongress.org.