Forced into action by tragedy, Mark dedicates award to Jessie ABC Action News report 06/21/06
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WASHINGTON D.C. - From single father to national hero, Mark Lunsford never set his sights on any awards.
He was simply a grieving but determined dad who had lost his daughter. Still, Mark's goal of protecting other children from what happened to his little girl has captured the nation's highest accolade for community service.
Our Jackie Callaway followed mark to Washington D.C. for the honor of a life-time. Jackie reports that the painful and unpredictable path from single father and truck driver to heartbroken man on a mission sent Mark Lunsford to the nation's capitol for an honor he never sought.
Mark says, "It's an honor to receive this award but I receive it for my daughter and missing children."
A father's unrehearsed speech, one spoken from the heart brought a room full of fellow Jefferson Award winners to their feet.
He adds, "What I really want is for you to contact your legislators and let them know enough is enough, the child you save could be your own."
The very hour Mark learned that his youngest, 9 year old Jessie, had been found in a neighbor's shallow grave, he vowed to channel a bitter anger into change for the better.
Mark says, "Actually I think it makes you a bigger person to show your emotions, speak the truth and tell people what they need to do."
In 15 months the trucker turned lobbyist pushed and petitioned lawmakers in 11 states into passing Jessie's law. He says his goal is to make a pedophile's life miserable through legislation.
The unflinching focus and accomplishments on child protection has earned Mark "attaboys" from parents everywhere he goes. Now Mark's work has garnered the Nobel prize of community service, the Jefferson award.
Mark also became one of only 5 to also win the Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis award for greatest public service benefiting a community.
In the midst of unstoppable tears and a standing ovation, Mark Lunsford dedicated the award to his Jessie.
He says, "I'd like to thank God and Jessie, members of the Jefferson award and my mom and dad."
And as he always does, Mark used the spotlight to lobby for change so no other child suffers Jessie's fate. He says he needs all of our help to make sure every state enacts something similar to Jessie's law because our children are our future, and when we lose one, we lose a part of our future we are never going to know.
A total of 74 Americans received the Jefferson honor this year.
