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Gus Bilirakis
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 9th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Michael Bilirakis
Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 48th district
In office 1999–2007
Preceded by	Sandy Safley
Succeeded by	Peter Nehr
Personal details
Born	(1963-02-08) February 8, 1963 (age 61) Gainesville, Florida
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Eva Bilirakis
Residence	Palm Harbor, Florida
Alma mater	St. Petersburg Junior College, University of Florida, Stetson University
Occupation	Attorney

Gus Michael Bilirakis (born February 8, 1963) is the U.S. Representative for Florida's 9th congressional district, serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives.

Early life, education and career

Bilirakis grew up in Tarpon Springs, Florida, as the grandson of Greek immigrants. His grandfather owned a local bakery where Bilirakis worked from a young age. He attended Tampa Bay area public schools and continued to work in his grandfather's bakery while growing up.

Bilirakis graduated from Tarpon Springs High School and St. Petersburg Junior College. He then 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.

Bilirakis has a Tampa Bay area law practice, the Bilirakis Law Group, specializing in probate and estate planning, which he took over from his father. While his father Michael Bilirakis was a Member of Congress from 1983–2007, Gus helped run his campaigns.

Florida legislature

Tenure

Bilirakis was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1998 when he won the District 48 seat held for 10 years by Representative Sandy Safley, R-Clearwater, who decided not to run again. This district covers most of north Pinellas County, part of Pasco County, and part of Hillsborough County. He quickly became known as a consensus-builder who worked across party lines for the common good, as well as for focusing on constituent service.

Committees

During his tenure in Tallahassee (1998–2006), he chaired several prominent panels including Crime Prevention, Public Safety Appropriations, and the Economic Development, Trade, & Banking Committee.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Committee assignments

• Committee on Foreign Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Europe and Eurasia
  • Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia
• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Management
• Committee on Veterans' Affairs (Vice Chair)
  • Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity
  • Subcommittee on Health

• Republican Study Committee

In January 2009, Bilirakis was appointed Ranking Member (Lead Republican) on the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Management, Investigations and Oversight. In this role he is his party's top congressional watchdog over the Department of Homeland Security United States Department of Homeland Security.

Party leadership

Bilirakis is a member of the Republican Party's Whip Team and is Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee. Additionally, Bilirakis serves as a Co-Chair of the Congressional Military Veterans Caucus and the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues.

Platform

Bilirakis has led efforts to enhance the United States' visa screening capabilities and has played a key role in efforts to strengthen America’s borders; most notably passing legislation to enhance the collection of biometric information from migrants captured at sea who are seeking illegal entry to the United States. He successfully placed legislative initiatives in the 9/11 recommendations bill that was signed into law to increase America's rail and public transportation security.

Bilirakis is also a leading sponsor of legislation to create a nationwide Silver Alert program. He is a signer of the Taxpayer Protection Pledge

On September 29, 2008, Bilirakis voted against the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.

Bilirakis will support a limit on consecutive terms in Congress should the House of Representatives consider relevant legislation.

References

1. Florida House of Representatives Members
2. Current Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers
3. "Bailout Roll Call". 2009-10-03. Retrieved April 19, 2009.
4. Written Reply from Gus Bilirakis

External links

• Congressman Gus Bilirakis official U.S. House site
• Bilirakis for Congress official campaign site
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Profile at SourceWatch

Template:Persondata

• 1963 births
• Living people
• American people of Greek descent
• Florida Republicans
• Members of the Florida House of Representatives
• Members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida
• People from Palm Harbor, Florida
• University of Florida alumni