Editor's note. The following sad news was sent out yesterday by Americans United for Life.

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Dear Friends,

I am saddened to report that Northwestern University Professor and member of the Americans United for Life (AUL) Board of Directors Victor G. Rosenblum passed away Monday at the age of 80. Our deepest sympathies go to his wife, Louise, and his entire family.

For more than 30 years, Victor Rosenblum was an outstanding leader in the pro-life legal community. In 1980, he argued before the US Supreme Court in Harris v. McRae, the case which put the first fence around Roe v. Wade by establishing that there was no Constitutional mandate to fund abortion. The federal law he defended was the Hyde amendment, which to this day continues to bar the use of federal tax dollars from being used to fund abortions.

Member of the Board of Immigration Appeals, former AUL President and current member of AUL's Board of Directors Edward Grant wrote to me this afternoon:

"Even though he endured decades of physical pain and then disability, Victor Rosenblum worked tirelessly in defense of the unborn. As a living witness to the worthiness of all human life, even those opposed to his work defending the unborn child were inspired by his conviction, principles, compassion, and sense of justice. Those of us who shared his convictions were both inspired and moved to action. He continually encouraged us to persevere in the face of long odds, and to trust the inner assurance that we were defending a just cause. We have not only lost a legal icon - we have lost a true friend who worked tirelessly to make us better than we are."

Victor truly was a titan in the cause for life. All of us at AUL thank Victor for his long years of service helping us work toward the day that all human beings are welcomed in life and protected in the law.

Peter A. Samuelson
President, Americans United for Life