These men and women were willing to take a risk.

When the U.S. Senate voted Wednesday to lift the president's restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research, it failed to reach the number of votes necessary to overturn a promised Bush veto. That’s because 34 Senators resisted a bipartisan tide and said “No” to the destruction of preborn humans.

Carrie Gordon Earll, senior analyst for bioethics for Focus on the Family Action, said pro-life senators who stood their ground will be criticized in some circles because of it.

“Some of these senators have watched as the composition of the Senate has shifted away from a majority of members holding a pro-life view on issues like this,” she said. “It's hard to be in the minority; you stand strong and cast controversial votes knowing that you will probably lose.”

That strength of character deserves recognition, said Ashley Horne, federal policy analyst for Focus on the Family Action.

“It would mean more than we can imagine for these brave senators to receive encouragement for their pro-life stand,” she said. “Everyone wins when we thank those who stand strong to protect innocent life."

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., said it is “unfortunate” that 63 of his colleagues voted to “divert resources away from ethical stem-cell research to increase funding for unproven and destructive embryonic stem-cell research.”

Ethical stem-cell sources – such as bone marrow and umbilical-cord blood – are used in treating approximately 70 diseases and conditions.

“Is it OK to destroy life,” he asked, “when you can accomplish the same goal without harming a human embryo?”