IN THE NEWS
Goal Zero Announces New Power Moves Short Film Featuring the Heart-Wrenching Story of Emily Henkel and Alexander Lofgren
October 18, 2022
Goal Zero, a leader in portable energy, today announced the latest short film in its Power Moves series. The film features the triumphant and heart-wrenching story of Emily Henkel and Alexander Lofgren which eventually led to "The Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act".
NEW LAW GIVES VETERANS, GOLD STAR FAMILIES FREE LIFETIME ACCESS TO AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS
January 7, 2022
A new law is giving veterans and Gold Star Families free lifetime access to national parks and federal recreational lands. The Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act was rolled into the National Defense Authorization Act, which was signed into law over the holidays.
"When you take your oath, if you go into the service, to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, you really are protecting the homeland," the National Park Service's new director and Navy veteran Chuck Sams told USA TODAY. "I think this is a great recognition of that responsibility you took on to serve your nation."
REP. GRIJALVA & LOFGREN FAMILY CELEBRATE SIGNING OF ALEXANDER LOFGREN VETERANS IN PARKS ACT INTO LAW
December 28, 2021
WASHINGTON – Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and the Lofgren Family, including Retired Col. Joseph Lofgren, Ruth Lofgren, Karen Lofgren, Linda Lofgren, and Rosemary Thomas, issued the following statements following President Biden signing the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act as a part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022, which permanently waives national park fees for veterans and gold star families, into law.
REP. GRIJALVA VOTES TO PROTECT GRAND CANYON AND HONOR ALEXANDER LOFGREN IN NDAA BILL PASSAGE
September 27, 2021
WASHINGTON – Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) voted to pass the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) following the inclusion of Rep. Grijalva’s Grand Canyon Centennial Protection Act and the bipartisan Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act, named in memory of Alex Lofgren, a veteran and Wounded Warrior Fellow who worked as a caseworker in Rep. Grijalva’s Tucson office and passed away in a tragic hiking accident.
GIRLFRIEND OF TUCSON MAN WHO DIED CAMPING SAYS LEGACY WILL LIVE ON IN BILL FOR VETERANS
August 21, 2021.
Every weekend for the past two years, Emily Henkel and her boyfriend, Alexander Lofgren, would spend time together exploring national parks or the outdoors.
Lofgren would show Henkel parks she’d never been to, and whenever they visited a new park, Lofgren’s eyes would fill with excitement, Henkel said. He was a combat veteran who used nature as therapy after serving in Afghanistan.
MILLER-MEEKS' VETERANS IN PARKS ACT UNANIMOUSLY PASSES HOUSE
July 29, 2021
Mariannette Miller-Meeks' (IA-02) Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act unanimously passed the House of Representatives. This legislation would give veterans and Gold Star families free lifetime access to national parks and public federal lands and give active-duty military free annual passes.
REP. GRIJALVA CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF THE ALEXANDER LOFGREN VETERANS IN PARKS ACT, CALLS FOR QUICK SENATE ACTION TO MEMORIALIZE LATE STAFFER
July 29, 2021
“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.”
REP. GRIJALVA CELEBRATES THE PASSAGE OF ALEXANDER LOFGREN VETERANS IN PARKS ACT NAMED FOR LATE STAFFER
July 14, 2021
TUCSON— Today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks Act out of committee, a bill that will permanently waive all National Park entrance fees for veterans. It will next head to a full House vote. The bill is named in memory of Alexander Lofgren, a late staffer of Congressman Grijalva who worked in the Tucson district office through the Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program and assisted local constituents with veterans casework. Alex passed away in a hiking accident in Death Valley National Park in April 2021.
SAD ENDING FOR ONE OF MISSING INDIVIDUALS IN DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK RESCUE
April 10, 2021
Sadly, one of two missing campers from Tucson who were found on a remote, steep ledge in the Willow Creek area of Death Valley National Park died, officials said Friday afternoon. The Inyo Search and Rescue technical team found the couple 2 miles away from their destination through aerial reconnaissance of the extremely remote area.
PRESS RELEASE: DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK MULTIAGENCY SAR
April 8, 2021
INYO COUNTY, CA, APRIL 8, 2021 – On Tuesday April 6 at approximately 6:15pm Inyo County Sheriff’s Dispatch was notified of two potentially missing individuals. According to the reporting party, 32 year-old Alexander Lofgren, and girlfriend 27 year-old Emily Henkel, both from Tucson, AZ left Helendale, CA for a camping trip in Death Valley National Park and were due to return Sunday April 4.