Connecticut's top leaders were in Washington D.C. on Monday for President Obama's second inauguration and commented on the Newtown reference in the president's speech.
"I was struck particularly with the reference to Newtown as a symbol of how America needs to do better,” Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal told the blog Capitol Watch.
The reference came toward the end of his speech as Obama laid out his broad vision for America in the next four years.
"Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for and cherished and always safe from harm," Obama said.
Gov. Dannel Malloy was in the nation's capitol for the inauguration and told Capitol Watch he was also struck by the impact the shootings in Newtown have had on the country and on policy makers.
“It is amazing how different Newtown is and how profoundly Newtown has impacted the country,” Malloy said.