Lulu Griffin, Senator Katie Britt Address Alabama House

U.S. Senator Katie Britt and Lulu Griffin, the namesake of Lulu’s Law, addressed the Alabama House on Thursday, April 17. Both spoke in favor of HB437, the Alabama companion to Lulu’s Law. Like Lulu’s Law, HB437 allows emergency notifications of shark attacks or unusual shark activity to be sent to mobile devices in a localized area, and to first responders in those areas.

Senator Britt took to the podium to say, “Thank you so much. This is my very first time to ever walk on this floor, so it is truly an honor to be here with you today for the passage of House bill,” Sen. Britt said.

“I want to thank Representative Faulkner for all of the work, for your leadership for spearheading this to make this a reality. It’s certainly a privilege to be here to speak directly to Lulu,” Britt continued.

“Lulu, you have united this State behind a cause in a way that very few people can. You have taken what is the unimaginable and shown how the Lord can turn that into action to save other peoples lives. Your bravery, your resiliency has not only inspired people in this Stare, but all across the nation. I have United States Senators coming up to me and asking if they can get on Lulu’s Law, and can they please be the lead on the other of the aisle.

“It’s a really incredible moment to see someone like you stand so tall, so brave and say with grit and resiliency and grace, I'm gonna make things better for other people. So, thank you for what you've taught each and every one of us. It’s an honor to carry Lulu’s Law in the United States Senate. We’re gonna work diligently to get it across the finish line this year, making sure that beach goers have the information that they need to keep their family safe. And, just on behalf of all the members of the United States Senate, we are so proud of your story and the way that you conducted yourself and inspired people from coast to coast. We love you, and keep going. Thank you,” Britt concluded.

Lulu Grifffin addressed the House, saying, “My name is Lulu Griffin, and only about 10 months ago in June 2024 I was attacked by a shark and in a life-threatening situation.

“It was a great beach day and the water was crystal clear. I was diving for sand dollars with my friends. As we were riding the waves in, I turned around and heard my best friend scream, ‘SHARK!’

“First the shark bit off my left hand, and a portion of my leg, which was later amputated. The next morning I woke up intubated. I could not breathe or speak on my own. the morning after I was extubated and the first words I said were “I made it.” The outcome did not matter. What mattered was I made it, and that life would be different.

“I chose to fight. I chose to do it for the people who didn't make it, and for the people who never got the chance. This bill allows us to fight for the safety of our environment. Only 90 minutes before my accident, another shark attack occurred a few miles down the beach.

“This bill will allow us to help future accidents and future shark attacks. I would like to thank everyone for your support on this bill and I am so grateful. I would especially like to think the Speaker of the House, Mr. David Faulkner, and Katie Britt. Thank you so much. This means so much to me.

Lulu’s Law was introduced in the U.S. House and Senate in March of this year by Representative Gary Palmer (R-AL-6) and Senator Katie Britt (R-AL). Lulu’s Law is named after Lulu Gribbin of Mountain Brook, Alabama, who was attacked by a shark in June 2024.

Lulu’s Law codifies the ability for authorities to deploy wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) to the public if a shark attack occurs, or if conditions for a shark attack are present. Shark attacks would be added to extreme weather events, amber alerts and other emergencies in the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).

When the bill was introduced, Rep. Palmer and Sen. Britt lauded the bill.

“If there is a commonsense solution to keeping Americans safe and out of harm’s way, we should capitalize on it. Had an alert gone out on June 7, 2024, the dreadful shark attack on Lulu could have been prevented,” said Rep. Palmer. “Lulu’s tremendous strength, faith, and bravery throughout her healing journey has inspired many. By passing Lulu’s Law, we would be creating a practical solution to prevent future attacks from occurring and keeping beachgoers safe.”

“Last June, the unthinkable happened when Lulu suffered a devastating shark attack. When Lulu woke up, she said, ‘I made it’ and since then, she has only continued to prove her resilience,” said Sen. Britt. “I’m incredibly proud of her faith, her courage, and her strength – she truly personifies both grace and grit. Lulu’s Law would empower authorities to quickly and accurately put information in the hands of beachgoers to help keep them out of harm’s way. This is a commonsense measure aimed at keeping families safe – a cause that I know people can rally around, just like her local community, our great state, and the entire nation have rallied around Lulu.”

HB437 passed the House by a vote of 102 YEA, with no NAYs or abstentions.