Senator Amy Klobuchar

Working for the People of Minnesota

Press Contact

Joel Gross
Press Secretary
(202) 224-3244

News Releases

Sen. Klobuchar and Injured Girl's Family Highlight the Importance of Pool Safety Legislation

July 23, 2007

The parents of Abigail (Abbey) Taylor joined U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar this morning at Minneapolis Children’s Hospital to highlight the importance of pool safety legislation that is currently pending in Congress. 

Late last month, six-year-old Abbey was severely injured at a wading pool in St. Louis Park when she sat over an open drain hole where the cover had apparently come loose or been removed.  The drain’s powerful suction force tore out most of her small intestines.  Three weeks later, Abbey remains hospitalized and is expected to need a feeding tube for the rest of her life.

Abbey’s parents – Scott and Katey Taylor – reported this morning that she has been upgraded to fair condition, with the hope that she can be discharged from the hospital this week.  She will require more surgeries, however.

“Abbey is an amazing little girl, and the Taylors are an amazing family with a positive spirit,” said Klobuchar.  “They are willing to speak up and speak out to so we can prevent incidents like this from occurring to other children in the future.”

Klobuchar added:  “This little girl’s courage has now become an inspiration for change in Washington.”

Last Thursday, the Senate Commerce Committee approved new safety standards for the nation’s swimming pools.  An amendment proposed by Klobuchar (who serves on the Committee) means the stronger safety standards would apply to both new and existing public swimming pools.  Pool operators would have one year to comply with the new standards. 

Similar legislation is also pending in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Klobuchar said that Rep. Jim Ramstad is helping to lead the way on passage of legislation in the House.  The Taylors reside in Minnesota’s Third Congressional District, represented by Ramstad.

The legislation would 1) require swimming pools and spas to have drain covers that meet anti-entrapment safety standards; 2) create an incentive grant program for states to adopt comprehensive pool safety laws requiring certain safety devices in swimming pools to protect children; and 3) establish a national drowning prevention program.

In 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a report saying that, since 1990, at least 130 people (mostly children) have been entrapped by the suction force of pool and spa drains, resulting in 27 deaths and many more emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

###

Senator Klobuchar’s Offices

302 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Main Line: 202-224-3244
Main Fax: 202-228-2186
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

1200 Washington Avenue South, Suite 250
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Main Line: 612-727-5220
Main Fax: 612-727-5223
Toll Free: 1-888-224-9043

1134 7th Street NW
Rochester, MN 55901
Main Line: 507-288-5321
Fax: 507-288-2922

121 4th Street South
Moorhead, MN 56560
Main Line: 218-287-2219
Fax: 218-287-2930

Olcott Plaza, Suite 105
820 9th Street North
Virginia, MN 55792
Main Line: 218-741-9690
Fax: 218-741-3692