Prevent Florida State Senator James King From Blocking Terr's Law

October 20, 2003 | nickcarraway

[nickcarraway]

Florida Governor Jeb Bush is finally pursuing a course to save the life of Terri Schiavo. Governor Bush is calling a special session of the Florida legislatureon Monday to pass legislation that he worked on with Florida Speaker of the House Johnnie Byrd. ``Terri's Bill'' would immediately suspend all dehydration and starvation deaths in the state.

LifeNews.com, however is reporting that one man is the greatest obstacle to this happening, Florida Senate President Jim King, the man who controls the state Senate's agenda.

It's obviously important that we contact all state representatives, Senators, and other parties, but it is absolutely critical we put the pressure on Senator King!

Senator James E. "Jim" King, Jr.is the state Senator from Florida's district 8, which covers parts of Duval, Flagler, Nassau, St. Johns, and Volusia counties. Especially if you live in his district, please call him and tell him that he needs to listen to Governor Bush and Speaker Byrd and put this on the agenda tomorrow. Tell him you think this bill needs to be passed ASAP. And call any relatives or friends you have who live in that district to call (or email) him. Right now, he may be the one person with the most power to stop this bill. Let's let him know it needs to get passed. He needs some serious Freeping!

You can read more about this on these threads:

Florida Legislature Plans Special Session That May Help Terri Schiavo

Speaker of the House, Johnnie Byrd to introduce “Terri’s Bill”

LIVE FROM TERRI'S VIGIL - EMERGENCY - LEGISLATIVE SESSION - CALL FLORIDA REPS NOW!!

PLEASE HELP TERRI - A BILL IS BEING INTRODUCED TOMORROW

[nickcarraway]

Contact State Senator King!

[nickcarraway]

Contact State Senatoe King!

[nickcarraway]

Almost Forgot:

Call State Senate President Jim King at (850) 487-5030 orking.james.web@flsenate.gov and urge him to allow "Terri's Bill" to be debated.

Senator James E. "Jim" King, Jr. President

[nickcarraway]

You can now automatically e-mail every FLA Rep. in seconds!

Please go to http://12dollars.net/terri/ and DO IT NOW!

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

I'd read that she is/was able to eat on her own and smiles when she sees loved ones' photos. She was also reportedly able to communicate with eye movement. Like I said before, she's welcome here. My mom and I won't starve her. Good grief.

[nickcarraway]

ping

[nickcarraway]

Correct. Check out www.terrisfight.org

[sfRummygirl]

nick, you rock. At 2 in the morning!

[nickcarraway]

Sometimes, you have to have priorities, and sleep is not the one right now!

[dawn53]

I'd sure like to know more about this law. Doctors tried to force us to allow a feeding tube for my 92 year old father-in-law after he had had repeated strokes and was unresponsive. Hydration, I agree with. Forced feeding for ALL patients, no matter what is specified in their living wills, is another matter.

If the person doesn't have a living will, as in Terri's case, then I'm all for it, but for the elderly of Florida who have specifically gone to the trouble of having a lawyer draw up legal papers that state they do not want artificial means used to sustain their lives, it's another matter.

I heard Everett Koop once say about the Karen Ann Quinlan case, that we should be very careful to start what we cannot stop.

[sfRummygirl]

I know what you mean...I figure if I can keep it going until the other coast wakes up in a few minutes.....

[sfRummygirl]

nick, did you do a major ping on this? I could do one if you didn't...I have about 20 names.

[kenth]

Interesting stuff on Sen. King's website:

Highlights:

Hospice Hall of Fame Award

Affiliations:

Florida Hospice Board of Directors

[nickcarraway]

Great. Every little bit helps

[nickcarraway]

ping

[nickcarraway]

Waiting until the next shift takes over...

[nickcarraway]

Good Catch!

[sfRummygirl]

ping-0-lingy!

[The Red Zone]

but for the elderly of Florida who have specifically gone to the trouble of having a lawyer draw up legal papers that state they do not want artificial means used to sustain their lives, it's another matter

I would even question the propriety of some of those papers. Did they draw them up while hale and hearty, or while sick and under family/neighbor/someone-to-gain pressure to "get on"? I have an elderly aunt in obvious dementia in a situation like this. Manipulated by her neighbors while family was unaware, and neighbors now have her power of attorney. As mad as a hatter and as foggy as a chilly Boston night, yet somehow the doctors and social workers say she's "competent" (my hiney!)