Sandy Hook Mom Nicole Hockley Advocates for Healthy Minds For Safer Communities Act

The following press release was submitted by Sandy Hook Promise--

Alllentown, PA—

Nicole Hockley, the mother of six-year-old Dylan who was killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook, visited Allentown today to discuss the merits of H.R. 4783: Promoting Healthy Minds for Safer Communities Act, sponsored by Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-5). Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller and Allentown Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald stood alongside Nicole to highlight the significant impact this bill could have on communities, such as Allentown, and the difference it would make in the lives of those that need it most.

“I’ve traveled to Allentown today to meet with local legislators and community leaders to support a common sense bill that could benefit—not just Allentown—but towns across America,” said Nicole Hockley, who works as Communications Director for Sandy Hook Promise.

“We all know that addressing mental health is an important step in reducing gun violence. The Promoting Healthy Minds for Safer Communities Act would allow for more funding into much-needed school and community-based mental and behavioral health services. If we can prevent one tragedy by enacting this bill, it will be worth it.”

The mental health and domestic violence legislation is aimed at reducing and preventing gun violence by improving prevention and intervention in our mental health system, closing loopholes in our background check system, and helping keep guns away from severely mentally ill.

“Local leaders understand the importance of equipping our community organizations and law enforcement with the infrastructure needed to identify and address mental health issues as it relates to preventing violence,” said Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski.

“I am proud to stand with Nicole today in support of this vital piece of legislation. I truly hope our members of Congress will do the same thing.” In May, more than two-dozen Democratic lawmakers, led by Representative Mike Thompson, introduced the bill that was drafted in the aftermath of another round of lethal gun violence in Santa Barbara, California. The legislation emphasizes the importance of mental health in reducing gun violence.

“Every day I am in charge of making important decisions about health and human services in the county,” said Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller. “This legislation would enable me to devote more resources to the prevention and treatment of mental illness.”

If passed by Congress, the Promoting Healthy Minds for Safer Communities Act would give my officers the tools they need to identify mental illness and properly address it,” said Allentown Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald. Allentown, PA is the first stop for Sandy Hook Promise, as they visit communities across the country to support common sense legislation that addresses mental health in reducing gun violence.

About Sandy Hook Promise

Sandy Hook Promise, based in Newtown, Connecticut, has a dual mission: first, to support those affected by the tragedy and help the community heal and second, to support comprehensive solutions to make our country safer from similar acts of violence. The organization promotes a renewed national dialogue around issues of mental health, school safety and gun responsibility that respects the rights that the Second Amendment bestows on individuals. To build support for national change, Sandy Hook Promise is asking all Americans to join with them in promising to make the changes necessary to prevent future tragedies. Individuals can make the Sandy Hook Promise and learn more about the organization at www.sandyhookpromise.org.

Sandy Hook Promise is organized as a non-profit corporation, with a 501c(3) Foundation as well as a 501c(4) Action Fund.

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