Forty years ago this past Tuesday marks the U.S. Supreme Court’s infamous, reckless and inhumane abandonment of women and babies to abortionists.

Forty years of victims — dead babies, wounded women, shattered families.

Forty years of government-sanctioned violence against women and children.

Since 1973, more than 55 million children have been killed by abortion — a staggering loss of children’s precious lives — a death toll that equates to the entire population of England.

The passage of time hasn’t changed the fact that abortion is a serious, lethal violation of fundamental human rights. And that women and children deserve better. And that the demands of justice, generosity and compassion require that the right to life be guaranteed to everyone.

Rather than dull our consciences to the unmitigated violence of abortion, the passage of time has only enabled us to see and better understand the innate cruelty of abortion and its horrific legacy — victims — while making us more determined than ever to protect the weakest and most vulnerable.

In his inaugural speech on Monday, President Obama said, “Together, we resolve that a great nation must care for the vulnerable … that all are created equal … and our journey is not complete until all of our children ... are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm.”

We indeed, Mr. President, must care for the vulnerable — but that also includes unborn children and their mothers. No one gets left out or left behind. All people are created equal. And our journey is not complete until all our children — including the child in the womb — are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm.

Yet President Obama systematically and aggressively promotes abortion at home and overseas.

Despite the fact that taxpayer-subsidized Planned Parenthood claims direct responsibility for killing over 6 million unborn babies, Planned Parenthood remains President Obama’s favorite organization.

Someday, future generations will look back on America and wonder how and why such a seemingly enlightened society could have failed to protect the innocent and inconvenient. They will wonder how and why a Nobel Peace Prize-winning president who spoke eloquently about caring, cherishing and safeguarding all our children could also simultaneously have been the "Abortion President."

Know this Mr. President: We will never quit. In adversity, our faith and trust in God is tested, but it also deepens and overcomes and forges an indomitable yet humble spirit.

Know this: The pro-life movement is comprised of noble, caring, smart and selfless people. It is an extraordinarily powerful, non-violent, faith-filled human-rights struggle that is growing in public support, intensity, commitment and hope.

And know this Mr. President: The pro-life movement is not only on the side of compassion, justice and inclusion; we are on the right side of responsible science and of history.

Chris Smith is a Republican U.S. representative from New Jersey.