Gov. Malloy: Those who died defending students are heroes

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The lieutenant governor -- attended a funeral service today I attended knows funeral in Fairfield and the lieutenant governor attended a funeral and you -- There really are no words to describe.

What it's like to see these parents.

As I did on Friday.

Last night going from room to room.

And then again.

With respect to -- parents today.

It's tough to see.

Relatives and friends.

These little children.

Who died.

And as well -- to see some of the teachers who have been so adversely impacted.

Reality with respect to relatives as you try to feel their pain but you can't.

I try to find some words it do you hope will be adequate knowing that they'll be inadequate.

And you see little coffins com and -- -- state.

So you tell lump you grieve for their -- here you give them a hug and you'd tell them that their community their state in the nation.

-- I say the whole world.

Stand with them and you hope that that makes some difference.

Past few days have obviously been very difficult ones for anyone living in the state of Connecticut or aware of these particularly -- on the circumstances.

As I said in my televised remarks on Saturday night.

You see these tragedies play out and other places.

And you hope.

And -- expect that will never happen in your home but clearly it did in Connecticut.

I will repeat something I said on Friday and Saturday.

The families of those victims their families -- their relatives of the brave teachers and administrators at the school who survived in the children.

Who survived to all of them let us.

Let me say on behalf of the state of Connecticut that we stand ready to assist you in any way possible.

In anyway needed to help you -- So many resources.

Already being are so many resources are already being brought to bear.

But we will bring more whatever is necessary.

And do -- whatever has to be done.

To help our state in the yet.

Community of new -- and a and specific neighborhood.

I'm sandy hook -- To that and and it is for all of our citizens not just.

On a geographic -- anyone who's -- in the state of Connecticut call 211.

To crisis line.

It's available on a statewide this basis that's available 24 hours a day to connect families with the resources that they need.

To get through these circumstances.

And it is staffed by people who were trained trained specialist at -- these kinds of situations.

-- we have used a united way -- and 211 on to help coordinate.

The many offers.

Services that are pouring into our state.

And we will use many of those resources -- -- sure.

I want to again thank the president for having come to the state and having pledged.

To provide on behalf of the federal government the presence that we need.

In -- and any additional.

Services that we might -- -- -- -- -- to comment that he was eloquent he was moving he was healing and he was Arafat.

I think I can speak on behalf of everyone when I say we're grateful for leadership.

And obvious it is obvious that he is concerned about our state.

And our people and I'm most appreciative of that.

I want to thank the first responders.

It's pretty clear.

That they're very quick response saved lives.

Are we are grateful to them they put their lives on the line every single day and then there are days like Friday.

When they put their alliance their lives on the line.

And they actually save lives as they clearly did.

On.

Friday as a result.

Children went home and continue to preparations to celebrate Christmas or will celebrate Chanukah.

In the future.

And I like to -- the adults in the school the teachers the administrators all of the adults.

Those who died trying to save their students are heroes.

They gave their lives.

-- so others could lip.

And there are those.

Teachers who -- -- com quick thinking action say many lives they are heroes all so.

There are a lot of heroes in Connecticut today and I'm grateful to all of them.

I -- my remarks -- Saturday night that I thought there would be time for public discussion.

And that and that discussion would inevitably occur.

As it does every time when a tragedy like this takes place.

And I think some people interpreted that to mean that I thought it was inappropriate for those discussions take place I do not think it's -- appropriate for them to take place.

In fact it's quite appropriate.

The point I was making was.

That no more than 36 hours after the event my job my personal job as governor at that moment.

Was to speak to the people of Connecticut about the fears are feeling.

The damage that's been -- up.

And my -- to help and continue to help -- -- in the entire state to recover.

But we know vote in our state that we have some of the toughest gun laws of any state in the nation.

But when the investigation is over and all of the information is I'm going to ask if you question.

Is there a law or policy or procedure we could have had on the books that might have prevented this strategy.

It turns out quite clearly the answer is.

Asked and if and I believe it is yes and we should pursue.

That strategy.

Are we -- are we doing enough arm from my mental health perspective to reach out to kids.

And families who are obviously in trouble.

My sense is we are not and we need to look at that.

-- within our own state and within -- world.

Finally.

Do I think Washington DC needs to get its act together.

And enact stricter gun control laws at the federal level.

You -- I do.

I'm confident especially after hearing the president it.

-- -- addressed today that perhaps and by the way the comments of our own a Connecticut delegation.

That perhaps this debate will be renewed in Washington and lead to a different result of one other then the result that allowed.

-- weapons.

Assault weapons ban two.

To a expire.

The public policy debate is already playing out.

At the national level and if Connecticut or I can be a voice of the assistance in that matter.

We are as Connecticut citizens.

-- the governor prepared to enter that debate as well.

But my focus right now is on helping our community and our state get through this very terrible and difficult time.

I said there were some announcements so make those now.

First offers of financial assistance general generous offers are literally pouring into Connecticut.

I've asked my staff to put together a process to handle all of this in an organized fashion and I expect expect to have something further to announce about -- in the next.

They -- too I know that the community of Newtown is working with united way on this very subject as well to set up a fund there.

Second I want to inform you that I signed an executive order.

That will permit Monroe and new town to enter into an agreement concerning the use of and Monroe.

Extra school -- they have surplus school.

That will help of that school to be used and immediately and suspends some of them.

Public notice aspects of entering into the agreement obviously -- an emergency.

I'm doing that under I was prepared to declare.

A separate emergency but the reality is we're still under.

Hurt after hurricane sandy emergencies news that as the basis to execute them that executive order.

And third.

I'm not asking that Friday.

-- December 21.

At 9:30 AM exactly one week after the heart began to unfold in new -- That the entire state observed a moment of silence and I'd like to ask those houses of worship or other buildings that have.

The ability to play -- to do so as well a 26 -- For the beautiful children and six wonderful adults -- who were killed at the school on that day.

I'll be sending a letter of notification to all of the other governor.

Through the NG any -- asking them to -- their citizens to observe.

That occasion as well.

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Gov. Malloy: Those who died defending students are heroes

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