ACLJ Disappointed Schiavo Case Rejected by Full Appeals Court - Focus Now on Florida Legislature and Governor

March 23, 2005

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses on constitutional law, said it is disappointing that the full appeals court rejected an appeal from Terri Schiavo's parents and is now calling on the Florida Senate to take life-saving action in the case of Terri Schiavo.

"As the legal options continue to dwindle, we are calling on the Florida Senate and Governor Bush to take life-saving action to reinsert the feeding tube for Terri Schiavo," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which represented Mary and Robert Schindler Terris parents at the Supreme Court in their efforts to defend the previous Florida legislation that was declared unconstitutional.  While we support the legal efforts underway by Terri's parents to ask the Supreme Court to get involved, we are also continuing to pressure the Florida Senate to act on emergency legislation that will restore nutrition and hydration to Terri.  We have heard from more than 55,000 people across the country who want to see Terri live - who want to see the Florida legislature and Governor step in to save her.  We are calling on the legislature and the Governor to do just that."

The ACLJ filed an amicus brief on behalf of Congressman Dave Weldon -- one of the chief sponsors of Terri's Law -- with the federal appeals court.  At the same time, the ACLJ has heard from more than 55,000 people nationwide who support Terri and her parents and want lawmakers in Florida to find a legislative solution to keep Terri alive. 

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law and the protection of human life and is based in Washington, D.C.