U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., selected Newtown First Selectwoman Pat Llodra to be his guest for Tuesday’s State of the Union address.

Blumenthal said during a press conference prior to the address that her attendance would not be a passive one.

“Her presence will be very powerful,” he said.

Blumenthal added that “as eloquent and strong” as he expected President Barack Obama’s speech would be, the image of Llodra in the House gallery would “send a message more powerful than any words spoken.”

Blumenthal called Llodra “a tower of strength” and praised her for “inspiring with her courage” in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy where, as Newtown’s first selectwoman, she took charge and devoted herself to helping the community through the crisis.

Llodra said that “the time is now” for gun control. She noted that the country needs to “ensure future generations have greater safety and security” within an environment “we the adults have created” that has enabled violence.

— Kelsey Dentinger