Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Proving the pro-life movement is alive and well despite abortion advocates obtaining control of Congress last November, hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates participated in the annual March for Life. The mood was optimistic and positive despite 34 years of legalized abortion since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision.

"We come out here to remember lives that were lost and to let people know we all need to remember that," Tom Gill of South Bend told WSBT News.

"The more people we can get to take notice of this issue, the more people will realize abortion is killing innocent human beings," he added.

"We're here letting people know we are for life," added Florida teacher Sister Veronica Marinari. "We are against abortion and for life at all its stages."

The 2006 elections dashed the hopes of pro-life advocates of continuing the pro-life agenda they've been able to enact during large portions of President Bush's tenure in office.

However, National Right to Life political director Karen Cross said the election results didn't mean Americans were changing their attitudes opposing abortion.

"We know that the majority of the country is opposed to the vast majority of abortions," Cross said.

She pointed to a post-election poll conducted by the Polling Company firm showing 24% of voters were opposed to abortion except when the mother's life is in danger, or in cases of rape or incest. Another 14% were opposed to abortion except to save the mother's life and 14% were opposed to abortion in all circumstances.

"Fully 52% of the country is opposed to abortion except in very rare circumstances," Cross explained.

Cardinal Rigali, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, told the Catholic News Service there are other reasons to rejoice despite 34 years of legalized abortion.

"The rate and number of abortions in the United States continue to decline, most notably among teens," he said.

"More and more citizens are coming to question abortion and to recognize -- as a starting point for deeper conversion -- that there is something radically wrong with abortion and the support given it by our laws," he added.