Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senator Katie Britt has called on Congress to support the reintroduction of her bipartisan legislation, Lulu’s Law. The law is named in honor of 16-year-old Lulu Gribbin and aims to direct the Federal Communication Commission to issue an order that would allow wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) for shark attacks.

During her speech on the Senate floor, Senator Britt shared Lulu Gribbin's story: ". . . on June 7 of last year, out of the blue, she was attacked by a shark . . . What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. The doctors, nurses, EMTs, and everyday people on the beach that day saved Lulu’s life. But the real miracle was just beginning. When Lulu woke up from surgery that day and got taken off of her ventilator, her very first words were, ‘I made it.’ That has become a mantra, not just in how she remerged, but in the way she has pushed forward after a long rehabilitation . . .”

Senator Britt emphasized the importance of this legislation by mentioning another incident: “Lulu is indeed an inspiration, but this tremendous battle that she’s fought and won could have been prevented in the first place . . . I learned that there was another shark attack that happened just right down the shore 90 minutes earlier. Elizabeth Foley, a mother of three from Virginia, tragically lost her hand to a shark bite and suffered other terrible injuries . . ."

The proposed law would enable local, state, tribal, and federal authorities to send mobile phone alerts if a shark attack occurs or if conditions increase the likelihood of such an event. Senator Britt highlighted its significance: "potential to make a real difference in Americans’ lives."

Lulu’s Law enjoys bipartisan support in Congress with Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) backing it in the Senate. Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) introduced it again in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In conclusion, Senator Britt urged colleagues to pass this legislation: “to Lulu: I want you to know how much you have inspired all of us,” she said.“To Lulu’s parents, Ann Blair and Joe Gribbin... Let’s pass this law... let’s prevent this from happening again.”