U.S. Senator Katie Britt Delivers Remarks Following Unanimous Senate Passage of Lulu’s Law
‘Lulu’s story is not only incredible, but has given us an opportunity to ensure that it doesn’t happen to anyone ever again’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today spoke on the Senate floor to celebrate Senate passage of Lulu’s Law, a bipartisan piece of legislation named after shark attack survivor Lulu Gribbin. The legislation will direct the Federal Communication Commission to issue an order proving that shark attacks are events for which wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) may be transmitted.
Excerpts from Senator Britt’s speech are below. The full remarks can be seen here.
“[J]ust over a year ago, a year and a month, Lulu and her family did what many Alabamians and families across our nation do every summer. They took a trip to the beach …
“[W]hat happened to Lulu last summer is not something I could have ever fathomed happening to one of my children, and it’s not something I can fathom happening to anyone’s child.
“Lulu was on a sandbar in Walton County, Florida, when she was viciously attacked by a shark. The attack was nearly fatal. She lost two thirds of her blood in her body … This marked the beginning of a grueling journey, multiple surgeries, and countless hours of physical therapy. Lulu lost her left arm and her right leg, but did not lose her will to fight, to be an inspiration, to be an example to all who knew her …
“She has mastered her golf swing. She is driving a car. She is shooting hoops on the basketball courts. She is surfing, now running. And if you go to her Instagram page … you will see her actually slalom skiing at Lake Martin.
“Like the power of resiliency, faith, and mental fortitude, Lulu’s story is not only incredible, but has given us an opportunity to ensure that it doesn’t happen to anyone ever again …
“…[Y]ou see, 90 minutes before Lulu was attacked, a woman from Virginia was attacked just a few miles down the beach … Had there been an alert system for sharks, Lulu likely would not have been in the water. That is the nexus of Lulu’s Law. The Senate has now unanimously passed Lulu’s Law, legislation I was proud to lead and that Lulu has courageously advocated for for over a year now …
“Preventing attacks like this is something we can all rally around in honor of Lulu, and to protect future beachgoers and families. While the Senate passage of this law is certainly cause for celebration, our work is not done. I am hopeful that our House colleagues will quickly take up this piece of legislation and begin to move it through the House, and ultimately to the President’s desk …
“God’s hand is in all of this. Last night, I called Lulu’s parents and talked to them about how incredible this is, and they immediately said that when they got the news, they were having their very first Lulu Foundation meeting and the Junior Board was meeting, which are all of the young ladies that were in the water with Lulu when this happened. Their resiliency, their grit, their willingness to make things better for those that come after them should absolutely be commended.”
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