Blumenthal Statement On Presidential Citizens Medal Ceremony

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) issued a statement after attending the Presidential Citizens Medal Ceremony in the East Room of the White House during which the President awarded a medal posthumously to the six Sandy Hook Elementary School educators who were killed in December.

"This moment was emotionally overwhelming – thunderous applause, tear-filled eyes, the President deeply moved as he hugged each family. The feelings – pride, loss, resolve – were overpowering. The President spoke from his heart – and all our hearts were breaking. We owe it to these courageous educators and their families to act now on a comprehensive gun violence effort."

Background on the Presidential Citizens Medal can be found here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/citizensmedal/criteria.

###