WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. Congress reflected on the negative effects of almost 40 years of legal abortion in America, but said they are encouraged that the pro-life movement continues to gain momentum.

The estimated thousands of people who will “descend upon Washington” for the Jan. 23 March for Life, remind the country of its obligation “to protect life and be stewards” of God’s creation, said Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.).

The march took place a day after the Jan. 22 39th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion throughout the United States.

Ellmers told CNA on Jan. 20 that the protection of life is “a mission that is very near and dear to my heart.” The Congresswoman explained that she worked as a nurse for more than 21 years which taught her “that every life is a precious gift from God.”

“I’ve held the hands of newborn infants, and I’ve held the hands of elderly patients in the last moments of their lives,” she said. “I have witnessed firsthand how fragile and delicate our lives are and the miracles that take place every day.”

She said the March for Life is important because it “serves as a powerful reminder of the injustice taking place in our country and the millions of lives lost but not forgotten.”

Congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul (R-TX) said he believes that America’s “love for liberty” can be measured by how “the most innocent” members of society are treated.

“And the pro-life movement has played an extremely important role in fighting to make sure innocent life is protected,” he told CNA.

Paul, a medical doctor who has delivered babies, said that there is still “much work to do” to protect the unborn. He said that he would work as president to effectively repeal Roe and would support legislation defining life as beginning at conception.

Thirty-nine years after the Supreme Court decision “that opened the door for abortion in our country,” Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) called abortion “a very important issue” that needs to be addressed today.

He told CNA on Jan. 20 that the pro-life movement is fighting an “uphill battle” against the “culture of death” that permeates much of the secular media.

However, he also observed that progress had been made in recent years, particularly at the state level.

Lipinski said that he is always inspired by the number of young people at the March for Life, who remind him that “there is hope” for the future.

He believes the pro-life movement is “picking up more and more support” across the country and that progress will continue to be made “step by step.”

“When it really comes down to it,” he said, “what we need to do is change the hearts and minds of the American people.”