Bill Honoring Mark Hufford Signed Into Law

(Anchorage) - House Finance vice chair Anna Fairclough, R-Eagle River, commented today on Alaska Governor Sean Parnell signing House Bill 213 honoring the life and memory of Mark Hufford, one of Alaska's premier handcycle athletes, who died in January at the age of 40.

Mark was an inspiration to many for overcoming the mental and physical impacts of paralysis ...
~ Sen. Anna Fairclough

"This portion of the trail stands as a memoir and reminder to the community," Fairclough said. "Mark was an inspiration to many for overcoming the mental and physical impacts of paralysis to continue to live life and compete at the highest level of his sport. We will miss seeing him pedaling along it but his 'never give up' mindset remains."

HB 213, which unanimously passed the legislature, names a section of trail parallel to Eagle River Loop Road near North Parkview Terrace Loop after Hufford who was paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a hunting blind in 1995.

The Mark Hufford Trail dedication will take place on the Meadow Creek Bridge on Eagle River Loop Road Saturday, July 30, at 9:00a.m. and will include members of Mark's family and participants of Sadler's Alaska Challenge. The final leg of the Alaska Challenge, Eagle River to Anchorage, will take place following the dedication. The race will start from the in-bound weigh station.