WASHINGTON— Today, the House of Representatives passed the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act, a bill that will permanently waive national park fees for veterans and gold star families. The bill was introduced by Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), and recently named after Alexander Lofgren, a Wounded Warrior Fellow and caseworker in Rep. Raul M. Grijalva’s Tucson office. Lofgren tragically passed away in a hiking accident in Death Valley in April 2021. After the bill’s passage, Rep. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“Loss is always difficult, but I can think of no better way to memorialize Alex than to have this bill bear his name. Alex was a friend, colleague, photographer, and avid outdoorsman who saw national parks and public lands as a source of tranquility and peace for veterans like himself. Although he is no longer with us, his legacy will forever live on in this legislation that will allow countless veterans and gold star families to experience our national parks as places of healing, comfort, and security indefinitely. I’d like to thank Rep. Miller-Meeks for allowing me to celebrate Alex’s life with this legislation and my colleagues for ensuring its quick passage on the floor. I urge the Senate to act quickly, pass this legislation, and send it to President Biden’s desk for signature.”

###