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TALLAHASSEE, October 21, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Florida House voted Monday night, shortly after 10 PM, 68-23 to give Governor Jeb Bush the authority to rescue Terri Schindler-Schiavo from the court ordered starvation she has undergone since Wednesday, October 15. Today, the Senate passed the bill 23-15, sending it to Bush for his signature.  Governor Bush, who arranged for the extension of the special session to allow for the bill, signed the legislation immediately. He issued an executive order just over an hour after the bill’s passage, halting the starvation death.  The bill allows for a stay in cases of withholding nutrition and hydration from patients in situations similar to that of Ms. Schiavo.  The family and all those who have worked tirelessly to save Terri’s life are requesting urgent prayers that Terri may not suffer permanent damage from the starvation she has already endured.  Attorney Christopher Ferrera who has attempted several court interventions on Terri’s behalf reports that she has gone seven days “without a drop of water or a morsel of food.”  Moreover, the right-to-die activist lawyer representing Terri’s husband Michael Schiavo, filed suit to have a judge stop Bush from interfering in the case, claiming it is unconstitutional.  That case was heard Tuesday afternoon by Judge Greer who denied the motion on a technicality but told the lawyer for Michael Shiavo, Terri’s extranged husband, that he could refile a motion.  See related LifeSite coverage:  Terri Schiavo Refused Canadian Asylum, Denied Last Rites, Scheduled for Cremation https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/oct/03102001.html Governor Bush Calls for Special Session Bill in Florida Legislature to Save Terri from Starvation https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/oct/03102002.html Florida Bishop’s Statement on Euthanasia-Starvation of Terri Schiavo Deplorably Weak https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/oct/03101701.html Priest Who Blessed Terri Schiavo with Relic of Mother Teresa Hints at Hope for Miracle https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/oct/03101702.html