4th District Congressman Jim Himes says the anniversary knocks him in the gut every year.  Himes said he can’t help but imagine what those twenty children would be doing now, in 5th grade.  As ten- and eleven-year-olds, Himes said they’d be in that special place between little kid and teenager, finding their independence and awakening to the world outside.  Himes says today is a time to remember the victims and the Sandy Hook community, and tomorrow the struggle to prevent this from ever happening again continues.

Senator Richard Blumenthal says the pain and grief of 12-14 still feels fresh, but so too is the determination to make the world better and safer in memory of the 20 children and 6 educators killed that day.  Blumenthal says he continues to stand with Newtown, a community that confronted unspeakable tragedy with unimaginable courage and strength.  Blumenthal says since that day 4 years ago, more than 120,000 people have perished due to gun violence, and Congress continues to be complicit by its inaction.

Senator Chris Murphy says today is a day of crippling sadness and a day of unanswerable questions.  Murphy says so many people's world fractured four years ago and the pieces cannot ever be reassembled the same.  But he says everyone can promise to be kinder to one another, to hug loved ones and friends a little tighter, and reach out to those who may need a helping hand.  Murphy says a big step forward was taken this week with the signing of a bill into law reforming the nation's mental health care system.