ICYMI: Dr. Ryan Forbess Calls for Enactment of Lulu’s Law

‘I firmly believe an alert system that includes shark attacks can and will save lives’

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

In the op-ed, Dr. Forbess provided an account of Lulu’s attack and his efforts, along with other medical professionals and good Samaritans, to save Lulu’s life after a shark attacked her and a friend. He also expressed his support for Lulu’s Law, legislation that would codify shark attacks as events for which wireless emergency alerts may be transmitted.

Select excerpts from the column are below. The full piece is available HERE.

“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.”

. . .

“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.”

. . .

“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 introduced recently in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Gary Palmer (R-Ala.). For more information about the bill, click HERE. 

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