Contact: Mallory Quigley, Susan B. Anthony List, 703-380-6674

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ -- Wednesday night, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) rallied pro-life supporters at the Susan B. Anthony List's (SBA List) fifth annual Campaign for Life Gala in Washington, D.C., saying that the country "can never truly become what it fully was intended to be unless it deals with [abortion] squarely...it's that important." Rubio also noted that America can do nothing more important than show the world that "all life is worthy of protection."

Watch the full video here: www.sba-list.org/rubio.

"Sen. Rubio spoke earnestly and eloquently about the evil of abortion, and encouraged the pro-life movement to stay the course," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List. "He understands the reality that the rights of women cannot be built on the broken rights of unborn children. We need more pro-life leaders like Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate, and will continue working to add to their ranks."

The event took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and was emceed by Mistress of Ceremonies Mary Katharine Ham, co-host of WMAL radio's "The Morning Majority" and commentator for The Daily Caller.

Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (NY-25) received the annual Susan B. Anthony List Distinguished Leader Award.

Five young pro-life women leaders were honored with the annual Susan B. Anthony Young Leader Award: Lindsey Craig, Ashley McGuire, Laura Wegmann, Elizabeth McClung, and Kortney Blythe Gordon who received the award posthumously.

The Susan B. Anthony List is a nationwide network of more than 330,000 Americans dedicated to mobilizing, advancing, and representing pro-life women in politics. Its connected Candidate Fund increases the percentage of pro-life women in the political process.