President Bush is offering his condolences to the family of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman whose case gathered national and international attention.  Mr. Bush says millions of Americans are saddened by her death.

The Schiavo case became the focus of an intense and emotional debate over the right to die.

She passed away almost two weeks after a feeding tube was removed under a court order requested by her husband.  The president was among the politicians who got involved in efforts to reverse that order, returning to Washington from a vacation at his Texas ranch to sign legislation that would give her parents a chance to appeal the decision.

In his brief remarks, Mr. Bush seemed to speak directly to the parents and their supporters.

President George W. Bush

"I urge all those who honor Terri Schiavo to continue to work to build a culture of life, where all Americans are welcomed and valued and protected, especially those who live at the mercy of others," Mr. Bush said.

Terri Schiavo suffered brain damage 15 years ago, falling into what doctors described as a persistent vegetative state.