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Florida Supreme Court to Hear Terri Schiavo Case

LAKELAND, Florida, June 4, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Over the objections of Florida Governor Jeb Bush, a Florida appeals court has decided to "fast-track" Michael Schiavo's bid to have his wife's feeding tube removed so that Terri Schiavo will die. The Florida Supreme Court will hear the case filed by brain-disabled Terri Schiavo's estranged husband seeking to overturn a law Bush signed -- Terri's Law -- that saved her life.

The Florida 2nd District Court of Appeal approved a motion put forward by George Felos, the euthanasia advocate who is Michael Schiavo's lawyer, asking the appeals court to let the Florida Supreme Court decide the case. But attorneys for the governor say they want the case halted while the issue of whether Michael should have the authority to speak for Terri is resolved.

Governor Bush also said that Michael's interests may conflict with Terri's, implying it may be appropriate to appoint a new guardian on her behalf. Felos said the matter is so important that the state's high court should decide the case.

The appeals court agreed and, in granting Felos' request, denied the Bush team an opportunity to gather further information showing that Terri would not want to be killed.

Last August, the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal filed by Terri's family of a local judge's order allowing Michael to remove Terri's feeding tube.

In related news, the Regional Center for Independent Living in Rochester, New York, is hosting an outdoor green ribbon ceremony Friday, in honor of the controversial struggle to preserve Terri Schiavo's right to live.

Those who attend will receive green tartan ribbons, part of a national campaign to raise awareness of this issue. Donations will be accepted by RCIL for the Terri Schindler-Schiavo Foundation. This national observance -- the Life Ribbon Campaign -- encourages community supporters to wear the ribbons until Terri comes home to her family.

"Despite any particular physical or mental impairments, life is our most precious gift," states Todd Eggert, Executive Director of RCIL, "and with this effort, RCIL is choosing to positively support Terri's right to life. Given that she is showing responsiveness and recognition of loved ones, how can anyone question that right?"

Contact the Regional Center for Independent Living to add your support:
1641 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610, web-site: http://www.rcil.org/

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