STARVATION DAY 6
Florida House votes
to save Terri Schiavo
Gives Jeb Bush power to 'stay' case, but must overcome Senate opposition
Posted: October 20, 2003
11:45 p.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
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 tomorrow
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.
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. |
 Terri
responding to her mother in video clip available on terrisfight.org |
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.
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. |
 Fla.
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd |
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.
|
