By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN, Associated Press
DANBURY, Conn. (AP) _ The mother of a 7-year-old girl killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre is urging lawmakers to pass meaningful laws to help prevent another tragedy.

Chris and Lynn McDonnell, whose daughter Grace was among 20 first graders and six educators killed in December, spoke Thursday at a gun violence conference.

Lynn McDonnell asked lawmakers to look into their hearts, remember the 26 beautiful lives lost and pass meaningful laws to prevent such shootings. She received a standing ovation.

Vice President Joe Biden is scheduled to speak Thursday at the conference a few miles from the scene of last year’s Newtown school shootings.

The conference, in Danbury, is to push President Barack Obama’s gun control proposals. It was organized by members of the state’s congressional delegation.

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