Terri responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org
Posted on 10/21/2003 1:30:32 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
Six days after Terri Schindler-Schiavo's feeding tube was removed on court order – sentencing her to a slow and painful death – the Florida House of Representatives, influenced by a massive and sustained outpouring of support for the 39-year-old brain-disabled woman, voted tonight to give Gov. Jeb Bush the power to order Terri's feeding tube re-inserted.
Legislation H35-E, known as Terri's Bill, passed House on a 68-23 vote at approximately 10:15 p.m. Eastern.
The bill "authorizes the governor to issue a one-time stay to prevent withholding of nutrition and hydration under certain circumstances; provides for expiration of stay; authorizes Governor to lift stay under certain circumstances; provides that person is not civilly liable & is not subject to regulatory or disciplinary sanctions for taking action in compliance with any such stay."
The Senate version, S 0012-E, will be debated by the state Senate at 8 a.m.
Nicole DeLara, press secretary for House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, who strongly supported the legislation, said the goal was to save Terri if at all possible, and he "remains committed to supporting legislation that would help us provide maximum protection and law for Terri and other vulnerable Floridians. And we want to see justice prevail for those who cannot speak for themselves."
However, the bill's fate in the Senate remains uncertain, due to known opposition of Senate President Jim King, a Republican representing northeast Florida coast area and Jacksonville.
Terri responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org |
The development occurred just hours after the Tallahasse-based Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities filed for an injunction to keep Schiavo alive to have time to investigate whether removal of her life-sustaining feeding tube was an act of abuse by her husband, Michael Schiavo, according to an Associated Press report.
Schiavo – who lives with another woman with whom he has a child and another on the way – cut off all access to Terri's therapy and claims he only is fulfilling wishes expressed before she suffered a sudden collapse in 1990 under mysterious circumstances.
Florida lawmakers are in the capital for a special session on economic development, and the Senate could pass the bill authorizing Bush to order the feeding tube re-inserted tomorrow.
According to AP, Byrd called the special House session today, as the governor asked to have the Schiavo issue added to the agenda.
"President King, Speaker Byrd and others in the Legislature recognize the unique and tragic circumstances of Ms. Schiavo's case, and I am hopeful the Legislature will pass a bill immediately," said Bush.
Physically attacked?
The Schindlers, who maintain a website on their daughter's case, say they have evidence Terri was physically attacked.
Gordon Scott, an attorney for the advocacy group, asked for a 10-day injunction to provide time for an investigation after he had conversations with the Schindlers and a neurologist. Scott said he is not convinced Terri is in a "persistent vegetative state" as claimed by Michael Schiavo and his advocates.
Pinellas County Circuit Judge George W. Greer agreed to that assessment, however, and ordered the feeding tube removed Oct. 15.
Scott also believes, contrary to Michael Schiavo's claims, Terri is feeling pain from the starvation and dehydration.
The Schindler family said Terri appears to be in stable condition at the Pinellas Park, Fla., hospice where she resides.
"She seems to be alert,'' said her brother, Bob Schindler Jr., according to the Associated Press. "But every day that goes by, we're getting into a crucial time for her. She's got an incredible will to live."
Christine Brundage, a retired registered nurse who handles the correspondence for the Schindler family, told WorldNetDaily people who have seen Terri say she is beginning to fade, and they fear she can't hold out much longer. She is reported to be alert still and vocalizing, but her face is thinner and her skin is becoming drawn, showing the effects of five days of dehydration.
 Fla. House Speaker Johnnie Byrd |
Last week, two separate state courts rejected a motion to have the tube reinserted so law enforcement could investigate the case.
Meanwhile, the General Assembly of the Catholic Medical Association passed a resolution at its annual meeting Friday that summarizes the view of many advocates of the Schindler family.
It declared removal of Terri's feeding tube "without first undertaking rehabilitation therapy to ascertain her ability to swallow and digest nourishment" constitutes "depriving her of life without due process of law," according to Florida Statutes Section 744, 3211.
Volunteers with the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation urge all concerned Floridians to contact their senators and encourage them to support "Terri's Bill."
Telephone numbers and e-mail addresses of legislators are listed on the Florida Legislature's website.
Terri may be brain damaged but she is not brain dead.
If any more harm comes to Terri, all bets are off on the future of 'economic development' in the state of Florida, since many are talking boycotts. The article states the session was to begin at 8:00 a.m. I saw another article which stated that it was not scheduled until 6:35(?) p.m. this evening. Anyone know for sure? Are there any updates on Terri's condition? She had her last 'meal' 6 days ago as of 8:00 a.m. this morning. They say a person can only live 3-4 days without water. I hope the FL Senate is meeting NOW!
Great news, John ! Thanks for the post and ping !
Florida House votes to save Terri Schiavo:
Bill gives Jeb Bush power to 'stay' case Excerpt:Six days after Terri Schindler-Schiavo's feeding tube was removed on court order – sentencing her to a slow and painful death – the Florida House of Representatives, influenced by a massive and sustained outpouring of support for the 39-year-old brain-disabled woman, voted tonight to give Gov. Jeb Bush the power to order Terri's feeding tube re-inserted.
Legislation H35-E, known as Terri's Bill, passed House on a 68-23 vote at approximately 10:15 p.m. Eastern.
The bill "authorizes the governor to issue a one-time stay to prevent withholding of nutrition and hydration under certain circumstances; provides for expiration of stay; authorizes Governor to lift stay under certain circumstances; provides that person is not civilly liable & is not subject to regulatory or disciplinary sanctions for taking action in compliance with any such stay."
Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my Florida ping list!. . .don't be shy.
Amen to that !
A state Senate panel approved legislation Tuesday that would allow Gov. Jeb Bush to order a feeding tube be reinserted in a brain-damaged woman in defiance of a court order that allowed her husband to remove the tube.
The bill would give the governor 15 days to order a feeding tube reinserted into Terri Schiavo, one of the nation's longest and most bitter euthanasia cases.
The Senate Rules & Calendar Committee approved the bill on a 10-2 vote. The full Senate planned to consider the legislation Tuesday evening. The House passed a similar bill 68-23 Monday.
Thanks. I've added you ...
You're welcomed. I'm praying it's not too late, also ...
I wonder if her "husband" has been feeling any heat from his despicable determination to kill her, and how this public revolt against his plans feels?
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