U.S. Senator Katie Britt Speaks on Senate Floor in Support of Lulu’s Law

‘Let’s deliver a win for the American people, for Alabama, and for Lulu’

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 25, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today spoke on the Senate floor in support of her bipartisan legislation, Lulu’s Law, which would codify shark attacks as events for which wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) may be transmitted. This would ensure authorized local, state, tribal, and federal government officials have the confidence to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages to the public if a shark has attacked someone or if the conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present. 

Last month, the House version of Lulu’s Law was introduced by U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL-06). The bill is cosponsored by every member of the Alabama House delegation.

Excerpts of Senator Britt’s remarks are below, and her full remarks can be viewed here:

“On June 7th, [Lulu’s] life changed forever. That was the day she was on the beach enjoying the best of summer with her family and her friends. She was looking for sand dollars in the ocean with a friend, and that’s when a shark attacked. . .”

“. . . Lulu’s resiliency and strength certainly was a dominating factor not just in her survival but in her incredible recovery. Though the shark took her left hand and right leg, it did nothing but strengthen her spirit. When Lulu woke up from surgery and got taken off the ventilator, do you know what her first words were? ‘I made it.’”

“Lulu is an inspiration. She shows all of us that when you get knocked down, you don’t wait to get pulled back up. You fight, and you fight with a resolve and determination that will carry you through even the hardest of moments. Her grace, her faith, her strength, her perseverance all in the face of the unimaginable, make her a hero to all of us.”

“After I heard Lulu’s story and about the prior attack, I immediately thought what could have been done differently. Turns out, Lulu’s parents were thinking the exact same thing. There has to be a better way to get information into the hands of beachgoers, of parents, of families, if a shark attack has happened in their vicinity. And that’s why I’ve introduced Lulu’s Law.”

“This doesn’t impose any kind of mandate on local officials – it simply empowers them to help beachgoers stay safe through (the) existing wireless emergency alert system. Though this is a small change in statute, it would enable local leaders to put information into the hands of families faster, which as we can see, could make a world of difference. . . My priority has always been fighting for children and families from the great state of Alabama and across this nation. And protecting children and their families from harm, that’s an important part of it.”

“. . . To my colleagues watching from the cloakroom, the chamber, or back in your office, now is the time to act. Let’s get this done and let’s deliver a win for the American people, for Alabama, and for Lulu. Add your name to the cosponsor list and help us get this done. This is clearly something that all of us can rally behind. Let’s do it for Lulu, let’s do it for her legacy, let’s keep others safe, and let’s inspire others with Lulu’s story.”

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