Jefferson Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 16, 2024—AL.com recently published a column by Dr. Ryan Forbess, a family medicine physician, advocating for the enactment of Lulu’s Law. The legislation, proposed by U.S. Senator Katie Britt, is named in honor of 15-year-old Lulu Gribbin from Mountain Brook, Alabama.

In the op-ed, Dr. Forbess recounted Lulu’s attack and described efforts by himself and others to save her life after a shark attacked her and a friend. He voiced support for Lulu’s Law, which would categorize shark attacks as events eligible for wireless emergency alerts.

“I remember walking away from the beach talking with my wife when we heard someone tell us about the shark attack that happened before Lulu’s attack. The prior attack was a few miles away and less than two hours before. I was shocked, and I could not help but think there should have been an alert, like an Amber Alert, to keep beach-goers in the know about sharks,” Dr. Forbess wrote.

“We were able to help save Lulu’s life, but an alert like this could save so many others. It could save the people who are not surrounded by medical professionals. It could save kids and teenagers from facing a deadly attack in the first place or having to completely learn a new way of life, like Lulu is now,” he added.

“With Senator Britt’s bill we can prevent other kids, families, and adults from facing the terror that Lulu was forced to endure. We must get Lulu’s Law across the finish line. Congress must enact Senator Britt’s bill and get it signed into law.”

Senator Britt's legislation was recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Ala.).