In a telephone interview prior to President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union Address, Mark Barden, advocacy director and co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise, and the father of Daniel Barden, a victim of 12/14, said his anticipation of attending the evening’s event was “Incredible… overwhelming, powerful, and meaningful.”

Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) invited Mr Barden, January 7, to be his guest at the January 12 State of the Union Address, stating then that he would be proud to have Mr Barden at his side.

“I expect the President will spend time talking about our common cause,” Sen Murphy said in the January 12 interview with The Newtown Bee, referring to his and Mr Barden’s devotion to finding answers to the gun violence that plagues the nation.

“I have such respect for Mark and his family, and the way he has committed himself to the advocacy,” he added. “The work [Mark Barden] has done with Sandy Hook Promise speaks to the comprehensive nature of this problem. Sandy Hook Promise has attacked the gun violence from every angle,” said the senator.

It is particularly an honor to have Mr Barden attend, Sen Murphy said, “Coming on the heels of last week [when President Obama announced executive actions to address gun violence]. The President has galvanized the anti-gun violence movement in a very meaningful way.” Mr Barden’s presence at the State of the Union Address honors the focus that the President and his team have on this issue, he said.

Mr Barden was hopeful that his presence there would serve as a reminder to members of Congress of the importance in supporting the President’s initiatives. “I’ve always thought that putting a face on tragedy is so important. I carry a picture of my little Daniel with me,” Mr Barden said. Noting that the President has requested an empty chair be placed in the First Lady’s box, to honor lives lost to gun violence, Mr Barden reiterated that he hoped to put a human face to tragedy. He was hopeful that the President’s words on the issue of gun violence, Tuesday night, would be incentive to Congress to make changes. “We have the support of 90 percent of the American public. I hope our Congress can recognize this, going forward,” Mr Barden said.

“It is so much of a broader picture than just policy. The President’s executive actions address a much broader scope,” he said, including bolstering the NICS program, addressing technology, and infusing needed money into mental health care.

Mental health care, Mr Barden said, is an issue that is dear to his and Sen Murphy’s hearts.

Sen Murphy has introduced a bill concerning comprehensive mental health reform, “Which Sandy Hook Promise fully supports,” Mr Barden said. “It will do a lot of good in a system that needs help.”

While there is much pomp surrounding the lead-up to the President’s speech, Sen Murphy said that he and Mr Barden would also enjoy the less formal pre-speech Senate dinner. That dinner is a Senate tradition, with chicken pot pie always the main course. Tables scattered about the hallways outside of the Senate chambers invite casual conversation. Even so, said the senator, he expects that Mr Barden’s attendance at the dinner will be a reminder to all of “unfinished business. The families of Sandy Hook have had great impact on this issue,” he said.

Following the dinner, Mr Barden will be escorted to his seat in the gallery, while Sen Murphy will join with other senators in the very formal walk, two by two, from the Senate to the House.

Sen Murphy briefly addressed his concerns regarding the next administration’s attendance to gun violence issues. “Unfortunately,” he said, “there are some pretty clear frictions between the candidates on the issue of gun violence.” He went on to note, “Our job is to create an environment where there is minimal distinction on gun laws.” Both Republicans and Democrats in America want increased background checks for gun sales, he said, among other efforts to decrease gun deaths and accidents.

Looking five years into the future, Sen Murphy said he would like to see less partisan division in Congress on the issue of gun violence. “Take politics out of this,” he urged. He also noted that while President Obama will be leaving office in a year, “He’s a young man, and won’t be leaving public life. I expect he’ll be spending a significant amount of time,” post-presidency, "on this issue.”

Mr Barden is also optimistic that the President will continue to raise his voice on the issue of gun violence, “As he has done so effectively.

“I love to hear President Obama speak. I think tonight will be powerful and impactful.”