Posted on 10/21/2003 4:32:56 PM PDT by beckett
The Governor has just sent this email to those who contacted him about Terry:
Thank you for writing to Governor Bush and expressing interest in the well-being of Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Attached please find a statement by Governor Bush relating to actions taken today by the Florida Legislature and the Governor.
Again, thank you for writing to Governor Bush.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: ALIA FARAJ
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2003
(850) 488-5394
Statement By: GOVERNOR JEB BUSH
Regarding Theresa Schiavo
TALLAHASSEE- "Like the tens of thousands of Floridians who have raised their voices in support of Terri Schiavo's right to live, I have been deeply moved by these tragic circumstances. I understand the limitations cited by the judges who have declined to hear the later stages of this case. However, any life or death decision should be made only after careful consideration of all related facts and conditions. For that reason, I appreciate the extraordinary action of the Legislature today, and will use the discretion they have granted regarding the restoration of nutrition and water to Terri Schiavo.
"The conflict among family members over the best interests of this young woman has made us all acutely aware that uncertainty in these situations can, and does, compound the tragedy. I hope all Floridians, and any others who have followed this case, will ensure their best interests are clearly documented in a living will or other directive to spare their families a similar anguish.
"My thoughts and prayers remain with Terri and those who love her."
# # #
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 03-201
WHEREAS, on October 21, 2003, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 35-E (to be published as Public Law 03-418), signed this date by me, authorizing the Governor to issue a one-time stay in certain cases where, as of October 15, 2003, the action of withholding or withdrawing nutrition or hydration from a patient in a permanent vegetative state has already occurred and there is no written advance directive and a family member has challenged the withholding or withdrawing of nutrition and hydration; and
WHEREAS, under House Bill 35-E a person may not be held civilly liable and is not subject to regulatory or disciplinary sanctions for taking any action to comply with a stay issued by the Governor pursuant to House Bill 35-E; and
WHEREAS, in the case of Theresa Marie Schindler Schiavo, Robert Schindler and Mary Schindler, the parents of Theresa Marie Schindler Schiavo, have requested that the Governor enter a stay prohibiting further withholding or withdrawing of nutrition or hydration; and
WHEREAS, a court has found that Theresa Schiavo is in a persistent vegetative state as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, Theresa Schiavo had no written advance directive as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, nutrition and hydration have been withdrawn from Theresa Schiavo, and continues to be withheld as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, the Schindlers have challenged the withdrawal and withholding of nutrition and hydration as of October 15, 2003; and
WHEREAS, an immediate and urgent need has arisen to address the removal of nutrition or hydration, because death due to lack of nutrition and hydration is imminent;
NOW THEREFORE, I, JEB BUSH, Governor of the State of Florida, by the powers vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, specifically House Bill 35-E, do hereby promulgate the following Executive Order, effective immediately:
Section 1.
A. Effective immediately, continued withholding of nutrition and hydration from Theresa Schiavo is hereby stayed.
B. Effective immediately, all medical facilities and personnel providing medical care for Theresa Schiavo, and all those acting in concert or participation with them, are hereby directed to immediately provide nutrition and hydration to Theresa Schiavo by means of a gastronomy tube, or by any other method determined appropriate in the reasonable judgment of a licensed physician.
C. While this order is effective, no person shall interfere with the stay entered pursuant to this order.
D. This order shall be binding on all persons having notice of its provisions.
E. This order shall be effective until such time as the Governor revokes it.
F. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement shall serve a copy of this Executive Order upon the medical facility currently providing care for Theresa Schiavo.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed this 21st day of October, 2003. _______________________________________
GOVERNOR
ATTEST: ________________________________
SECRETARY OF STATE
Celeste F. Lewis
Director
Office of Citizens' Services
Executive Office of the Governor
850/488-7146 (Phone)
850/487-0801 (Fax)
Is this good news or bad??? Is Terry OK??
C. While this order is effective, no person shall interfere with the stay entered pursuant to this order.
If Greer interferes, he may very well be arrested.
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