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Senate Floor Statement of Senator
Menendez Statement on Danielle’s Act
  
Danielle Gruskowski would most
likely be alive today had 911 been called!
Two Blogs:
Danielle Gruskowski and
Danielle's Act
Senate Floor Statement of
Senator Menendez Statement on Danielle’s Act
(click
here)
(S. 3704
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Mr. President, I rise today with my
good friend Senator Lautenberg to introduce Danielle's Act, an
important piece of legislation that I know will save countless
lives. I also recognize Representative Rush Holt, who has championed
the bill in the House and has been a tireless advocate for
individuals with disabilities. This bill is named in memory of a
young woman from New Jersey, Danielle Gruskowski, whose life was cut
tragically short by a failure to call 9-1-1. The great State of New
Jersey has already passed Danielle's Law, and it is time for
Congress to act as well.
In order to understand the
importance of this legislation, I would like to share Danielle's
story. She was born December 6, 1969, to Diane and Doug Gruskowski
and raised in Carteret, NJ. Danielle was developmentally disabled
and diagnosed with Rett Syndrome, a neurological disorder that
causes a delay or regression in development, including speech, hand
skills, and coordination. While Danielle needed help with daily
activities, she managed to lead a full and active life. As a young
adult, Danielle moved to a group home to experience the positive
benefits of independent living. Tragically, on November 5, 2002,
Danielle passed away at the age of 32 because no one in the group
home called 9-1-1 when she was clearly in need of emergency medical
attention.
So that no other mother would lose
her child in such a tragic circumstance, Danielle's mother and her
aunt, Robin Turner, developed a strong coalition of supporters and
worked with their State representatives to develop and pass what we
know as Danielle's Law. Like the New Jersey law, my bill will
require staff working with individuals who have a developmental
disability or traumatic brain injury to call emergency services in
the event of a life-threatening situation. The legislation would
raise the standard of care by improving staff training and ensuring
that individuals with developmental disabilities get emergency care
when they need it.
All Americans deserve an advocate,
and today I am speaking for those who often cannot speak for
themselves. I am proud to be an advocate for individuals with
disabilities, and I am proud to be an advocate for the families in
New Jersey who are counting on safe, secure, and healthy independent
living environments for their loved ones with disabilities. I also
would like to recognize the hard-working caregivers and staff who
help provide for the needs of those with disabilities. They show
their compassion every day when they show up for work, performing
one of the most difficult but rewarding jobs in our society--caring
for someone's mother, father, son, or daughter. These caregivers
play such a critical role in our society and their contributions are
to be commended. By raising awareness and education about Danielle's
Law, my hope is that more caregivers will realize how important it
is to call 9-1-1 for all life-threatening situations and that better
training and support will be provided to staff across the country.
I am introducing this legislation
to remember Danielle and to make sure no other family or community
experiences the pain and suffering of losing a loved one to an
avoidable death. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting
this important bill.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous
consent that the bill be printed in the Record.
Enacted State Legislation
A3458 / S2572
Danielle’s Law (New Jersey),
Requires certain staff working with persons with developmental
disabilities or traumatic brain injury to call 911 emergency
telephone services in life threatening emergencies.
Signed by Governor James McGreevey
of New Jersey – October 26, 2003
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