Mark Lunsford

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Mark Lunsford is the father of Jessica Lunsford, a nine-year-old Floridian girl who was sexually assaulted, abducted, and killed by John Evander Couey, a previously convicted sex offender. Following his daughter's death, Mark was recognized and applauded[1] for his heavy involvement in the development of proposed legislation the Jessica Lunsford Act (H.R. 1505 of the 109th Congress). It is modeled after the Florida state law titled Jessica's Law. The law, if passed would provide more stringent tracking of released sex offenders. His involvement in the development of the law gave him much media coverage.

A former truck driver, he has been described as an uncommon public figure [2], and was highly emotional and intensely committed to pursuing his proposed legislation. At the conclusion of the trial of John Couey, Mark Lunsford again gained national media attention for his stoic, stone-faced presence in the courtroom during Couey's trial, and the way in which he has responded to the treacherous events so proactively.