Gus Bilirakis: Difference between revisions

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	== Politics ==		== Politics ==
	Bilirakis was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1998 when he won the District 48 seat held for 10 years by Rep. Sandy Safley, R-Clearwater, who decided not to run again. This district covers most of north Pinellas County and part of Pasco County. Since he was elected to state office, Bilirakis has sponsored bills that helped improve the quality of life for his constituents and improved education for their children. He fought for legislation that recognized the sacrifices made by veterans and led to safer transportation and needed government reform. He also has demonstrated his strong support for law enforcement and public safety issues. In 2000, Bilirakis helped current law enforcement officers regain pension money that was taken away from them by previous legislation. Bilirakis gained a reputation for being a "conscientious legislator who wants to serve his constituents."<ref></ref>		Bilirakis was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1998 when he won the District 48 seat held for 10 years by Rep. Sandy Safley, R-Clearwater, who decided not to run again. This district covers most of north Pinellas County and part of Pasco County. Since he was elected to state office, Bilirakis has sponsored bills that helped improve the quality of life for his constituents and improved education for their children. He fought for legislation that recognized the sacrifices made by veterans and led to safer transportation and needed government reform. He also has demonstrated his strong support for law enforcement and public safety issues. In 2000, Bilirakis helped current law enforcement officers regain pension money that was taken away from them by previous legislation. Bilirakis gained a reputation for being a "conscientious legislator who wants to serve his constituents."<ref></ref>

	Bilirakis's Congressional campaign received national attention for a strong fundraising effort in 2005<ref>http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/916953501.html?dids=916953501:916953501&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+26%2C+2005&author=&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=1&desc=In+one+way%2C+Bilirakis+already+leads+Series%3A+POLITICAL+JUNKIE</ref>. His campaign also has received noteworthy endorsements from Pinellas and Pasco firefighters, Gov. ]<ref>http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/910310961.html?dids=910310961:910310961&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+12%2C+2005&author=&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=4&desc=Bush+donates+%24100+to+Bilirakis%27+campaign</ref> and other key Republican leaders such as Congressman J. ] (R-Ill), Congressman ] and Congressman ]. Bilirakis also has received support from the Clearwater Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 and from Gus Stavros<ref>http://gusbilirakis.com/news_gb011206.html</ref>, a longtime friend and prominent area businessman.		Bilirakis's Congressional campaign received national attention for a strong fundraising effort in 2005<ref> - October 26, 2005</ref>. His campaign also has received noteworthy endorsements from Pinellas and Pasco firefighters, Gov. ]<ref>http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/910310961.html?dids=910310961:910310961&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+12%2C+2005&author=&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=4&desc=Bush+donates+%24100+to+Bilirakis%27+campaign</ref> and other key Republican leaders such as Congressman J. ] (R-Ill), Congressman ] and Congressman ]. Bilirakis also has received support from the Clearwater Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 and from Gus Stavros<ref>http://gusbilirakis.com/news_gb011206.html</ref>, a longtime friend and prominent area businessman.

	== Awards <ref>http://gusbilirakis.com/awards.html</ref>==		== Awards <ref>http://gusbilirakis.com/awards.html</ref>==

Revision as of 17:03, 22 June 2006

Template:Future election candidate

Gus Michael Bilirakis
File:Gus LEg Pic.jpgGus Bilirakis is running for the U.S. Congressional seat vacated by his father, Mike, who decided not to run for re-election after 23 years in office.

Florida House of Representatives
In office First elected as a state legislator in 1998 – Current

Personal details
Born	February 8, 1963 Gainesville, FL
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Eva
Children	Michael, Theodore, Emmanuel, Nicholas
Residence(s)	Palm Harbor, FL
Website	Campaign web site

Gus Michael Bilirakis (Born: February 8, 1963), was first elected to the Florida House of Representativesin 1998. He is currently the Republican frontrunner in the race for the state's Ninth Congressional District (map) to replace his father, Mike Bilirakis, who decided not to run for re-election after 23 years of service in Congress.

Gus Bilirakis grew up in Tarpon Springs, Fl., as the second-generation son of Greek immigrants who eventually settled in the area. He has a thriving Tampa Bay area law practice specializing in probate and estate planning to help seniors prepare for their future. According to his campaign web site, Bilirakis is a fiscal conservative who cares deeply about his community and shares his father's profound sense of pride in public service.

Early Life

Gus Bilirakis's grandfather opened a bakery on Pinellas Avenue in Tarpon Springs. At a very early age, Bilirakis began working at the family bakery, which is where he developed his work ethic and his strong sense of community. He caught the political bug in second grade when he helped install campaign signs in the neighborhood for a Greek who was running for Governor. In fact, Bilirakis is the one who convinced his father to run for Congress. Gus Bilirakis attended Tampa Bay area public schools and continued to work in his grandfather's bakery while growing up.

College and Career

Bilirakis graduated from Tarpon Springs High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. Then, he attended the University of Florida, where he graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. He received his law degree from the Stetson University College of Law in 1989. He helped run his father's campaigns for the past 23 years, knocking on doors, talking on front porches and attending countless community meetings. He also took over his father's law practice, the Bilirakis Law Group, which specializes in probate and estate planning.

Highlights

Interned for President Ronald Reagan
Staff member for Congressman Don Sundquist
Served on the staff of the National Republican Congressional Committee
Pinellas County Dole for President Campaign, Chair 1996
Great American Teach-In, participant

Politics

Bilirakis was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1998 when he won the District 48 seat held for 10 years by Rep. Sandy Safley, R-Clearwater, who decided not to run again. This district covers most of north Pinellas County and part of Pasco County. Since he was elected to state office, Bilirakis has sponsored bills that helped improve the quality of life for his constituents and improved education for their children. He fought for legislation that recognized the sacrifices made by veterans and led to safer transportation and needed government reform. He also has demonstrated his strong support for law enforcement and public safety issues. In 2000, Bilirakis helped current law enforcement officers regain pension money that was taken away from them by previous legislation. Bilirakis gained a reputation for being a "conscientious legislator who wants to serve his constituents."

Bilirakis's Congressional campaign received national attention for a strong fundraising effort in 2005. His campaign also has received noteworthy endorsements from Pinellas and Pasco firefighters, Gov. Jeb Bush and other key Republican leaders such as Congressman J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill), Congressman Roy Blunt and Congressman Tom Reynolds. Bilirakis also has received support from the Clearwater Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 10 and from Gus Stavros, a longtime friend and prominent area businessman.

Awards

Legislator of the Year, Juvenile Justice Council
Urban League Government Achievement Award
American Heart Association Award for Legislative Leadership
Property and Evidence Association of Florida - Appreciation for Your Support
Deaf Literacy Center - Appreciation for Outstanding Support
Florida Police Chiefs Association - Legislative Achievement Award
City of Clearwater - Appreciation of Efforts in 2003 Legislative Session
Florida Sheriffs Association - Four Your Leadership
Florida Association for the Deaf - Legislator of the Year Award
Order of AHEPA - George Washington Chapter #16 Tarpon Springs, Florida - Sincere Appreciation from the American-Hellenic Community of Tarpon Springs
United Christian Services, Inc. - Certificate of Merit
Tarpon Springs Elementary School, Business Partner
Helping the Elderly with their Legal Problems (H.E.L.P.)
Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee (1994 to present)
Levendia Dance and Culture Troupe, Past Member
St. Petersburg Junior College, Adjunct Professor (1997 to present)
Pan Cyprian Association of Florida's Annual Award
Prodigy Program - Legislative Achievement Award
Florida Chamber of Commerce "A" Honor Roll
Pinellas Marine Institute - Appreciation Award
Christian Coalition of Florida - Faith and Family Award
Florida Police Chiefs Association - 2002 Legislative Award
Gulf Coast Junior Chamber of Commerce - Spirit of Humanity Award
Oldsmar City Council
Florida School Counselor Association
Florida Holocaust Museum - Appreciation of Outstanding Dedication and Support
American Heart Association
Florida Police Benevolent Association - 2001 Representative of the Year Award
Fraternal Order of Police - Lawman of the Year, Pinellas Lodge #43
Florida Police Chiefs Association - 20001 Legislative Award
Healthy Start Coalition of Pinellas, Inc.
Oldsmar Little League Project Play Ball
Vietnam Veterans of Florida State Council
Autism Society - For Your Commitment to Our Special Children
The Nature Conservancy - Friends of the Conservancy
FTP/NEA Freshman Friend of Education
Patron of Public Education, Pinellas Education Foundation
Passenger Restraints, Florida PTA
Florida Fraternal Order of Police Award
Pinellas County Education Foundation - Certificate of Appreciation
Florida Bankers Association - For Service to the Banking Industry and Citizens of Florida

Affiliations

Tarpon Springs Rotary Club
Elks Club
Moose Lodge
Masons
University of Florida, Tampa Bay Advisory Board for Greek Studies Program
Hospice of Pasco/Hernando, Past Board Member
Palm Harbor, West Pasco, Tarpon Springs Chambers of Commerce
Clearwater Bar Association
Tarpon Springs Elementary School, Business Partner
Helping the Elderly with their Legal Problems (H.E.L.P.)
Pinellas County Republican Executive Committee (1994 to present)
Levendia Dance and Culture Troupe, Past Member
St. Petersburg Junior College, Adjunct Professor (1997 to present)
Member, Take Stock in Children Mentor Program, Pasco County
Board Member, Pasco Marine Institute

References

Category:

Florida politicians