The mother of 6-year-old Dylan Hockley, who was killed in the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Conn., visited Allentown recently to discuss the Promoting Healthy Minds for Safer Communities Act.

Nicole Hockley is communications director for Sandy Hook Promise, a national, nonprofit organization led by community members and several parents and spouses who lost loved ones in the shooting Dec. 14, 2012.

Twenty first-grade students and six educators were killed.

Adam Lanza, 20, was charged with the shooting.

Much of the Promoting Healthy Minds for Safer Communities Act, sponsored by California Congressman Mike Thompson, D-5th, surrounds the support of the mentally ill and keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not own them.

The act would require the secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a program to award grants to states, political subdivisions or nonprofit private entities for the expansion of mental health crisis assistance programs to align with the mission of the Sandy Hook Promise.

The act would also amend the Public Health Service Act to revise a Community Children and Violence Program to assist local communities and schools in applying a public health approach to mental health services.

Expanded research on self-directed and other directed violence with mental illness would be conducted and the National Violent Death Reporting System would be expanded to all 50 states.

The act would also expand the research and grants of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address gun violence.

Studies would be conducted to improve mental health research and understand the epidemic of gun violence and it would also amend the federal criminal code prohibitions on the sale, purchase, transport of possession of firearms or ammunition with respect to persons committed to a mental institution and those convicted of a misdemeanor crime of stalking.

Standing with Hockley was Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, Lehigh County Executive Tom Muller and Allentown Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald.

"I've traveled to Allentown today to meet with local legislators and community leaders to support a common sense bill that could benefit ... towns across America," Hockley said. "We all know addressing mental health is an important step in reducing gun violence. If we can prevent one tragedy by enacting this bill, it will be worth it."

Muller also offered comments.

"I can't imagine what the Sandy Hook parents have gone through," Muller said. "I can't believe no legislation has occurred to stop this.

"We can't let this continue," Muller continued. "We have spent a lot in human services in the county; hopefully this will get us more. This legislation is very important."

Pawlowski thanked Hockley for coming to Allentown. "This should not happen again, anywhere," Pawlowski said. "I can't even imagine your loss. We need to unite as a nation."

"Since we can't agree on gun legislation, maybe we can unite around mental illness. I don't think this is a lot to ask," Pawlowski added. "How can we make sure those with mental illness don't get guns? Congress and the senate should get behind this. Shame on them if they don't get behind this type of funding."

Fitzgerald said the events of Sandy Hook are "very alive in our minds." He said the proposed legislation would give his officers additional skills they need to protect all citizens.

"It will help us serve the public in a more efficient manner," Fitzgerald said. Looking directly at Hockley, Fitzgerald said, "there is no reason why you should have to lobby for this after your loss."

Allentown was the first stop for Sandy Hook Promise as they visit communities to promote the bill.

"Nothing will bring back my son or the 19 others," Hockley said. "We will do everything in our power to make sure this becomes a law."

Hockley described her son Dylan as a "bundle of joy. His smile could really light up a room." She said he loved chocolate and garlic bread.

"Everything I do is for Dylan and his legacy."