WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Seventeen coffins, a speech by President Bush, roses, hymns and patriotic songs sung by an estimated 35,000 demonstrators highlighted yesterday's 17th annual March for Life.

About 40 University students joined nearly 600 others to help lead the march, protesting 17 years of legal abortion under the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court's ruling of Roe vs. Wade.

"We have a lot of staying power. We've been doing this for years," said Leah Sterling, secretary of the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Federation for Life.

While demonstrators estimated the crowd size at 110,000, United States Park Police officers reported the demonstrators' numbers to be closer to 35,000.

"It might have been larger, but a lot of people are waiting for the April 28th march," said Frank Arlinghaus, Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Federation for Life advisor.

Another pro-life march is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, in Washington.

The march was led by 17 coffins, symbolic of the 17 years of legal abortion under Roe. Many protestors wore cloth roses on their lapel or carried real ones to symbolize their movement.

"The rose is a symbol of life. All life from conception to death, until God calls us home," said Phillip Barr, pastor of St. Edmond's in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Other protestors chose to illustrate their view on abortion by carrying pictures of aborted fetuses in garbage cans or crucified dolls covered with red paint.

"We like to emphasize more positive aspects, but other people prefer to show what's being done," Arlinghaus said. University students carried banners indicating their identity and some held small rattles.

March participants said a higher number of students were involved in the march this year. Arlinghaus estimated about 600 college students walking together near the front of the march.

About 40 members of Penn State Students for Life came to Washington in six cars to participate in the march, said Kathleen Hanrahan, president of the organization. This is the highest number of students at Penn State to attend the annual pro-life march, she added.

Hanrahan attributed the increased student involvement to the recent developments in the abortion debate.

"Now, young people feel is the time, they must stand up for outlawed abortion," she said.

"I was surprised at how many young people were here," said Carolyn Osterman, a Penn State student attending her first march.

Protestors also pointed to a more optimistic mood at the rally than in past years. Some attributed this change to this summer's Webster vs. Reproductive Health Services decision by the U.S. Supreme Court.

All pro-life activity since Webster will be extremely important, said Mike Coulter, a student from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.

Hanrahan agreed that this year's march seemed more positive than the previous three she has attended.

The day began at noon with a welcome address by telephone from President Bush.

Bush said, "Before you begin the march, I want to take a minute to share my deep personal concern about abortion on demand, which I oppose.

"For 17 years the March for Life has served as a poignant reminder to all Americans that human life in all its forms must be respected. And I think all of you know my deep conviction on Roe vs. Wade," he added.

The protest movement "also reminds Americans, especially young Americans, of the self-evident moral superiority of adoption over abortion. We should all be grateful to the families that adopt babies, giving them care and love and a chance for a wonderful life," said Bush, two of whose 12 grandchildren are adopted.

The president's speech was followed by addresses from seven members of Congress and introductions of pro-life organizations around the country.

After the rally, protestors marched to the Capitol building where some members of the crowd went to see their congressional representatives to demand a Constitutional amendment outlawing abortion.

Other marchers chanted or sang hymns on the steps of the Supreme Court building.