Jefferson Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 19, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) commended U.S. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) for introducing Lulu’s Law in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Britt wrote and introduced Lulu’s Law in the Senate. The bill is named in honor of 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin from Mountain Brook, Alabama.

Their legislation, which is cosponsored by the entire Alabama House delegation, would codify shark attacks as events for which wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) may be transmitted. This would encourage authorized local, state, tribal, and federal government authorities to quickly deploy warnings via mobile phone alert messages to the public if a shark has attacked someone or if conditions enhancing the possibility of a shark attack are present.

Lulu Gribbin is recovering after enduring nearly fatal injuries sustained when a shark attacked her and McCray Faust in June 2024. Just 90 minutes earlier and a few miles away, another woman was also attacked by a shark.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), which sends out local alerts that provide authentic emergency information to the public. Other WEA alerts include warnings about extreme weather, AMBER Alerts, wildfires, and more.

“I appreciate Representative Palmer introducing the House companion to Lulu’s Law. Having two teenagers myself, this hits close to home. I cannot imagine what this journey has been like for Lulu or for her parents,” said Senator Britt. “When Lulu woke up, she said, ‘I made it.’ This brave Alabama girl is resilient—she is a true fighter, personifying both grace and grit. I’m incredibly proud of her faith, her courage, and her strength. Lulu’s Law would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harm’s way. This is a commonsense measure aimed at keeping families safe – a cause that I know people can rally around, just like her local community, our great state, and the entire nation have rallied around Lulu.”

“As a member of Congress, our top priority should be keeping Americans safe. Had an alert gone out, the dreadful shark attack on Lulu could have been prevented,” said Rep. Palmer. “Lulu’s tremendous strength, faith, and bravery throughout her healing journey has inspired many. No child should have to go through what she has endured; no parent should have to watch their children suffer as she has. By passing Lulu’s Law we are creating a commonsense solution to prevent future attacks from occurring and keep beachgoers out of harm’s way.”