HB 213-NAMING MARK HUFFORD TRAIL  1:07:52 PM VICE CHAIR PRUITT announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 213, "An Act naming the pathway parallel to the section of Eagle River Loop Road connecting Old Glenn Highway with North Parkview Terrace Loop the Mark Hufford Trail." 1:08:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE ANNA FAIRCLOUGH, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of HB 213, stated that this bill would name a section of Eagle River Loop Road connecting Old Glenn Highway with North Parkview Terrace Loop the "Mark Hufford Trail". She said she has known the Hufford family for over 20 years and his sister was her good friend. She related that Mark Hufford graduated from Chugiak High School in 1989. She said she shared the sadness when her friend's brother, Mark, was injured in a hunting accident in 1995 that left him in a wheelchair. She told members that Mark Hufford was loved by many and appreciated by all. He frequented the trail HB 213 would name in his honor. She related that he competed seven times in Sadler's Alaska Challenge wheelchair and handcycle competition. For those not familiar with the race, she explained that the Sadler's Alaska Challenge is arguably the world's longest and toughest wheelchair and handcycle race in the world and the course route is from Fairbanks to Anchorage. REPRESENTATIVE FAIRCLOUGH stated that his family raised funds to support his racing efforts. Mr. Hufford twice won the Speedy Sourdough Award for fastest Alaskan in the Sadler's Alaska Challenge. She related that she held conversations with her Eagle River Parks and Recreation's Service Area, which prepared a resolution to present for the board's approval. She offered that John Rodda, Director, Eagle River Parks and Recreation's Service Area, could not indicate the final action the board would take, but he predicted the service area would strongly support naming the trail after Mark Hufford. 1:10:50 PM VICE CHAIR PRUITT, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 213. After discovering additional people wished to testify, Vice Chair Pruitt reopened public testimony on HB 213. 1:11:51 PM TERESA KNOWLES stated that she is Mark Hufford's sister and it is a real honor for their family to have HB 213 move forward. She said that Mark was a great inspiration to so many people. She told members she is a hairdresser and has had so many clients and neighbors express excitement that a trail will be named after him. She remarked that when her clients saw his photograph in her shop they recognized Mark as someone they had frequently seen on the trail. Rain or shine, Mark would be on the trails and in doing so obtained some freedom from his paralysis. She reiterated her thankfulness and expressed how important HB 213 is to his family. ANTHONY TAMBRUN stated that Representative Fairclough and Teresa Knowles have already covered most of his comments. He asked to testify in "total" support of HB 213. 1:13:39 PM JOAN HUFFORD stated she is Mark Hufford's mother. She commented that Representative Fairclough and Teresa Knowles, Mark's sister, have also covered many of her points. She thanked members for hearing this bill. She said that the Eagle River Community supported and inspired Mark, more than they will ever know. Mark faced many challenges with his disability and in doing so challenged himself. During his training and races many people would honk, wave, and encourage him to go faster. She and her husband thanked members for hearing this bill. She also said, "We are just totally honored, the whole family." VICE CHAIR PRUITT, after first determining no one else wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 213. 1:14:48 PM REPRESENTATIVE MUNOZ moved to report HB 213 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, HB 213 was reported from the House Transportation Standing Committee.