Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt spoke on the Senate floor today to advocate for Lulu’s Law, a bipartisan bill that would include shark attacks as events for which wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) can be sent. This measure aims to enable local, state, tribal, and federal government officials to quickly issue warnings via mobile phone alerts in case of a shark attack or when conditions conducive to such an event are present.

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

Senator Britt recounted the story of Lulu: “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.”

Britt continued by highlighting Lulu's strength: “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.’”

The senator praised Lulu as 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.”

After learning about Lulu's experience, Britt felt compelled to act: “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.”

Britt emphasized that the legislation does not impose any mandates on local officials but empowers them through existing systems: “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.”

She called on her colleagues for support: “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."