Marco Rubio to Headline Pro-Life Group’s National Gala

Politics   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Nov 14, 2011   |   5:28PM   |   Washington, DC

The Susan B. Anthony List announced today that Sen. Marco Rubio, a celebrated figure in the pro-life and conservative communities, will headline its 5th annual Campaign for Life Gala on February 1 in Washington.

“We’re thrilled that Senator Rubio, a proud pro-life leader, will be joining us for the evening,” SBA List director Emily Buchanan said.

Rubio, who frequently tops the polls of Republicans in terms of who they would like to see selected as the running mate for the eventual GOP nominee taking on pro-abortion President Barack Obama, said he is honored to speak on behalf of the pro-life women’s group, saying his pro-life commitment is deeply-felt.

“My pro-life beliefs are cornerstone principles for me, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to speak at the Susan B. Anthony List’s annual gala,” he said. “While economic issues are at the forefront of the political debate, we cannot forget our responsibility to defend innocent human life.”

“The pro-life movement is winning, and it is doing so because of the tenacity of Marjorie Dannenfelser, the SBA List and pro-life grassroots supporters across the nation. The SBA List will play a critical role in the 2012 elections and in advancing the cause of life,” Rubio added.

Buchanan said the event is a key one for the pro-life political group as it looks ahead to the 2012 elections because it marks the 20th anniversary of the Susan B. Anthony List, created in part to respond to the pro-abortion Emily’s List organization, which has steered tens of millions of dollars to pro-abortion candidates for state and federal offices.

“In addition to Senator Rubio’s attendance, this year’s Gala will be very special, as we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Susan B. Anthony List,” she said. “Twenty years ago in 1992, the radically pro-abortion group EMILY’s List rose to power, ushering in a wave of pro-abortion women leaders—including Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein— to Congress. The media even dubbed 1992 “The Year of the Woman,” but you know as I do that those women didn’t represent the majority of pro-life Americans.”

“The Susan B. Anthony List was born in Marjorie’s closet to challenge the myth that women need abortion by electing authentic pro-life women leaders in the image of women like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul,” Buchanan said. “We’ve never looked back, and in 20 years, your SBA List financed and endorsed over 75 winning members of Congress! We helped nurture a first generation of women leaders who have embraced the cause of Life and advanced in public office. And after 20 years, we’re ready to lead a second – and even larger – generation of pro-life heroes—leaders who will end abortion in this country.”

“This year’s Campaign for Life Gala won’t just be a time to celebrate our founding, the Gala will be the kickoff for raising funds and awareness for our 2012 campaign because—I can’t emphasize this enough—the lives of an untold number of unborn children and their mothers depend on whether or not President Obama, the Abortion President, is replaced by an authentic pro-life leader,” she said.

Each year, the SBA List honors a new generation of trailblazers who lead the pro-life movement forward by presenting them with the prestigious Susan B. Anthony List Young Leader Award and another award will be given at the February dinner with Rubio.

“Past awardees, like State Senator Rachel Burgin and Sarah Makin, advocate for laws that save lives in their state legislatures or in Congress, or stand in the front lines by directing pregnancy resource centers like Chelsea Rearick,” Buchanan said. “More young women, like Catherine Foster, stand for Life by starting pro-life groups on their campuses, while some like Lila Rose and Jill Saunders advocate for unborn children and women in the media.”