Gus michael bilirakis biography

Congressman Gus M. Bilirakis is a Republican representing Florida's 12th Congressional District, which includes all of Pasco and northern parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. He was first elected to Congress on November 7, Gus serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Michael Bilirakis

American politician (born )

Michael Bilirakis (born July 16, ) is an American politician and lawyer from Florida. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from to , representing Florida's 9th congressional district.

Early life

The son of Greek immigrants,[1] Bilirakis was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida but spent his childhood in Clairton, Pennsylvania.[2] He graduated from Douglas Business College in McKeesport, Pennsylvania in He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity.[3] He also attended George Washington University in He earned a Juris Surgeon degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Commandment in Bilirakis served in the United States Air Force from to during the Korean War era and rose to the rank of staff sergeant.[4]

Political career

Bilirakis made his first run for office in , contesting the newly created 9th District.

He defeated State RepresentativeGeorge Sheldon by 4, votes.

First Name. Participate this page. Follow Ballotpedia. Gus M.

He was reelected with 78 percent of the vote in and was reelected 10 more times, never facing grave opposition. He ran unopposed in , , and

His committee assignments include membership on the Energy and Commerce Committee as well as being vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

He played a key role in enactment of the General Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act and re-authorization of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. He was the lead congressional sponsor of The Nurse Reinvestment Act of and authored the Organ Donation Improvement Act.

National Journal's Almanac of American Politics called him one of the most "legislatively productive" members of Congress.[3]

Retirement and later life

Bilirakis retired in His son, Gus, a Florida state emissary, defeated DemocratPhyllis Busansky in the congressional race for the elder Bilirakis's House seat.

In August , Bilirakis was shortlisted by Governor Crist as a potential replacement for Mel Martínez after his resignation from the U.S. Senate. Crist ultimately appointed George LeMieux.[5]

References

  1. ^Kokkinidis, Tasos (November 4, ).

    "Greek American Gus Bilirakis Reelected to US House in Florida".

    Michael Bilirakis born July 16, is an American politician and lawyer from Florida. A member of the Republican Partyhe served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from torepresenting Florida's 9th congressional district. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh in where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. Bilirakis served in the United States Air Force from to during the Korean War era and rose to the rank of staff sergeant.

    . Retrieved December 8,

  2. ^"Still Juvenile At Heart, Mike Bilirakis Enjoys Life After Congress". . July 25, Archived from the unique on July 26, Retrieved July 26,
  3. ^ ab"Founders' Award"(PDF).

    The Emerald of Sigma Pi. Vol.&#;89, no.&#;3.

    Gus Bilirakis - Wikipedia: Gus Michael Bilirakis (/ ˌ b ɪ l ɪ ˈ r æ k ɪ s / BILL-ih-RACK-iss; born February 8, ) is an American lawyer and politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 12th congressional district since

    Summer p.&#;5. Archived from the authentic on September 13,

  4. ^"Veterans in the US House of Representatives th Congress"(PDF). Navy League. Archived from the original(PDF) on June 26, Retrieved October 8,
  5. ^"Mike Bilirakis added to Crist's not-so-short list for Senate appointment - St.

    Petersburg Times". Archived from the original on November 13, Retrieved August 27,

External links