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In Tallahassee, reflection on issues behind her death

By STEVE BOUSQUET, JONI JAMES and CARRIE JOHNSON
Published March 31, 2005

	[AP photo]
	Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, reacts as the death of Teri Schiavo is announced during the Florida Senate session.

A somber Gov. Jeb Bush, who had tried legal and legislative maneuvers to prolong Terri Schiavo's live, said he was "heartbroken" by her death.

"My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, and to all of the people who wanted her to live," Bush said. "For everybody, this has been a very, very emotional couple of weeks."

Bush said the Schiavo case was the most difficult situation he has dealt with as governor. But he was optimistic some good would come of her death.

"It's not all about laws, although at some point down the road I think we should reflect on this experience and maybe look at some of our laws," Bush said. "But it's also just as individuals how we prepare for the issues in a way that makes a little more sense than what Terri Schiavo's had to go through."

Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, his voice quivering, announced Schiavo's death to the Florida House of Representatives at 10:17 a.m.

"Terri Schiavo has departed this life," Baxley said. "We're thankful that God has mercy on the souls of the innocent, and I pray that he will forgive the rest of us. Our hearts are broken ... Terri Schiavo is now a martyr."

Baxley was the House supporter of a bill that would have allowed her feeding tube to be reconnected. The House-passed bill was rejected by the Senate.

After a moment of silence, the House went back to business, including debate on a bill to update helmet standards on bicyclists under age 16.

Baxley said he was "devastated" by news of her death. But he expects the debate over end-of-life issues to continue throughout the session and beyond.

"There may be a need for some settling of nerves but we still need to go back to this issue of sustenance," Baxley said. "That is our public policy debate. Is basic sustenance extending life in a way that is heroic?"

He added that he was "ashamed" of society for failing to intervene on Schiavo's behalf.

"I have the highest respect for those that come to a different conclusion," Baxley said. "But I don't think they are right."

Senate President Tom Lee interrupted the floor proceedings about 10:10 a.m. and called for a moment of silence. "Regardless of your perspective on end-of-life issues, this is a very sad moment and a very reflective moment for a lot of us. It would be appropriate to have a moment of silence in her honor and I would ask you all to please stand and recognize the life of Ms. Terri Shiavo."

With that, all 40 members of the Senate stood quietly bowing their heads for about 20 seconds.

Sen. Daniel Webster, R-Winter Garden, who led efforts in the Senate to prolong Schiavo's live, said her death was "hard to accept. But it is something that had to be accepted. I think everyone knew what the result would be when the courts closed and the Legislature said no.

"I believe I did all I could. I have a clear conscience I did all I could. I'm happy for my vote and what I tried to do and what I sponsored. The only sad part is it couldn't get there."

Webster said Schiavo is now in a better place. "But I think we are wired to live and we live as long as we can," he added. "For the government to inject themselves into bringing about an innocent person's death is a sad day. It's one thing to die naturally, it's another to have it forced upon you."

Sen. Walter "Skip" Campbell, who opposed Webster's Schiavo bill, said he was comfortable with his vote. "Certainly I think if we could have done something constitutionally to save her life I think most of us in the Florida Senate would have done so. It's tragedy, but agin it's something that naturally occurs. Death is something that no one cherishes but it was inevitable."

Lee cautioned against rushing to change Florida laws on end-of-life issues, suggesting the Legislature wait until next year.

[Last modified March 31, 2005, 12:25:17]