Lulu's Law

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1003, the Senate companion to H.R. 2076, Lulu's Law, named after Lulu Gribbin of Alabama, who was attacked by a shark in 2024.

It was not long ago that Americans received emergency alerts exclusively over broadcast television and radio channels. In the last 10 to 15 years, our emergency alerting capabilities have improved significantly as a direct byproduct of innovation and breakthroughs in wireless technology.

Prior to 2012, Americans needed to practically seek out emergency warnings via broadcast programming to receive alert information being distributed for any number of important situations. That is why the creation of the Wireless Emergency Alert, or WEA, system in 2012 marked a significant leap forward in our ability to disseminate warning and alert messages to the public.

All across the Nation, natural disasters like tornadoes, wildfires, and flash floods show up with little or no warning. One tragedy after another has demonstrated that being able to push emergency warning information out directly to cell phones in the danger zone is one of the most powerful tools that we have to save lives.

The WEA system allows alerting authorities at nearly every level of government the ability to reach Americans where they are. Cell phones are ubiquitous today, and the WEA system will only continue to be more effective as wireless providers and alerting authorities take steps to improve geotargeting and location accuracy.

These tools can also be utilized to protect beachgoers from threats to life and safety posed by sharks.

This is especially important for me as I represent the Jersey Shore towns that attract millions of visitors and billions in economic activity during the summer months. As we approach the Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start to New Jersey's beach season, this reminds us of the importance of being vigilant in and near the water while at the beach. It is particularly timely because, just yesterday in my district, a great white shark appeared off the coast of Asbury Park. We know that dangerous circumstances posed by sharks or rip currents leave even the most prepared swimmers in harm's way.

This bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to issue an order that drives home the point that potential shark attacks are permissible uses of the WEA system. This is important because local authorities can and should use every tool at their disposal to keep the public informed of developments with clear actionable instructions for how to respond safely.

I strongly support the passage of S. 1003, and I reserve the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I say, I did not realize that she was up in the gallery. I appreciate all the help that she has done in moving this legislation because it is important. As I mentioned, this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. We just had a huge shark actually appear off the coast of Asbury Park, one of our premier beach destinations in my district.

Mr. Speaker, I can't stress enough the importance of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on a bipartisan basis. I yield back the balance of my time.

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