Former President Bush expected to receive award in Dana Point

Feb. 4, 2010 | By KPCC Wire Services | KPCC

DANA POINT — Former President George W. Bush is scheduled to receive an award honoring his pro-life beliefs from a Roman Catholic organization Friday in Dana Point.

Organizers of the Legatus organization's annual summit at the St. Regis Monarch Beach hotel have declined to publicly comment on the plans to present an award to Bush for his opposition to abortion and embryonic stem cell research.

The Orange County Register first reported the organization's plans for Friday's luncheon.

Legatus is a Catholic organization that seeks to bring business leaders and their spouses together through their faith.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a recent convert to Catholicism, Cardinal Francis George, the archbishop of Chicago, Rev. Timothy M. Dolan, the archbishop of New York, and "Everybody Loves Raymond'' actress Patricia Heaton, are scheduled to attend the summit, according to Legatus' Web site.

A few protesters began gathering today at Pacific Coast Highway and Niguel Road to demonstrate against Bush.

"We're expressing our concerns that a war criminal is not being indicted, but instead he's being rewarded,'' said Sharon Tipton, who organized the protest.

Tipton said it was ironic Bush was being honored for his "pro life'' views when he ordered the invasion of Iraq, which led to countless deaths.

The summit will continue through Saturday.

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