March for Life Draws Thousands
of Pro-Lifers to Washington
By Jim Day

     As they have every year since 1973, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates gathered in our nation’s capitol on January 22nd for the 31st Annual National March for Life to demand the reversal of two U.S. Supreme Court decisions (Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton) that have resulted in the legalized murder of some 45 million pre-born children in America.
     The tone of this year’s March was especially upbeat and hopeful of the prospects of change in our nation’s conscious regarding abortion. Speakers and marchers pointed to polls that show a majority of Americans, including women and young people, have become increasingly pro-life. They also stressed that both the White House and Congress are now controlled by pro-life advocates and that pro-life legislation passed by Congress and signed by a president has become law for the first time. But, topping the list of indicators of change was the fact that abortions are on the decline nationwide. Many in the sea of pro-lifers walking to the Supreme Court were in college or high school, giving longtime pro-life advocates hope for the future.
     Tom Reuwer, a TV weatherman from Harrisburg, Pa., who brought his 4-year-old daughter, Keely, told the Associated Press, "I think there is a real turn in the tide on this issue. I think there's more people who are anti-abortion than pro-abortion."
     As he has done in the past, President Bush addressed the crowd just before the march began and was interrupted numerous times by applause. "During the past three years we've made real progress toward building a culture of life in America," Bush said.
     Bush went on to tout some of the pro-life accomplishments of his administration, including signing the Born Alive Infants Protection Act that protects newborns who survive botched abortion attempts, signing the partial-birth abortion ban, and making sure taxpayer funds don't go to groups that perform or promote abortions in other countries.
     "We must continue with civility and respect to remind our fellow citizens that all life is sacred and worthy of protection," Bush said. "I know as you return to your communities you will redouble your efforts to change hearts and minds, one person at a time. And this is the way we will build a lasting culture of life, a compassionate society in which every child is born into a loving family and protected by law.
     In addition to President Bush, several members of Congress addressed the rally before the march, including: Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and Reps. W. Todd Akin (R-Missouri), Christopher H. Smith (R-New Jersey), Todd Tiahart (R-KS), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Jim Ryun (R-KS), Melissa Hart (R-Pennsylvania), Mike Pence (R-Indiana), Ron Lewis (R-New York), Roscoe Bartlett (R-Maryland), Rick Renzi (R-Arizona), Steve King (R-Iowa), Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-Michigan), Michael C. Burgess (R-Texas), and Patrick J. Toomey (R-PA).

Portions of the above article were taken from an article written by Steven Ertelt, Editor of LifeNews.com.