The U.S. Senate last week unanimously approved Lulu’s Law, which would create a warning alert system for shark attacks.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., led the legislation in honor of 16-year-old Lulu Gribbin from Mountain Brook, who lost her left hand and right leg in a shark attack on a Florida beach last year. Britt said she talked with Gribbin and her parents shortly after the bill passed to celebrate the step forward in helping to prevent other families from experiencing a similar situation.
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“It was just incredible,” Britt told Alabama Daily News. “The joy in her voice, the excitement, you know how hard it is to get anything through this chamber, much less right now at such a divisive time and the fact that we came together in a bipartisan way to move this forward is huge.”
The legislation would direct the Federal Communications Commission to provide mobile phone alerts similar to Amber Alerts if a shark attacks someone or if shark attacks are probable under the conditions.
Bipartisan support
Lulu’s Law has bipartisan support in the Senate and U.S. House. The bill now moves to the House, where Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Birmingham, is sponsoring it.
“This is one of those moments, and I hope America gets to see it,” Britt told ADN. “They see all the things we disagree on, but to see us come together and try to make things better for the people we represent, coast to coast…I think it’s really important.”
Gribbin has been a vocal advocate of the federal bill and a similar new state law, which Gov. Kay Ivey signed in May. Britt joined the 16-year-old at the State House earlier this year to discuss the legislation.
Britt said when the Senate passed the bill July 8, Lulu and her parents were at a board meeting for her foundation, Lulu Strong, which aims to connect amputees with prosthetics and therapy.
‘Truly a miracle’
“Lulu is truly a miracle, both in the way she has adapted to her new lifestyle and how she is using her experience as a catalyst to protect beachgoers,” Ann Blair and Joe Gribbin said in a statement. “Real change for families like ours who just want to keep our children safe is now one step away.”
Britt said she hopes the House will pass the bill soon and looks forward to seeing President Donald Trump sign it into law.
“I can envision a moment where she and all that she represents and everyone she’s inspired can see her standing next to him and getting this signed into law,” Britt said.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Alex Angle and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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