Gus Bilirakis



Gus Bilirakis, a Republican, has represented the Ninth Congressional District of Florida in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007. (map)

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Targeting pro-justice activists
On 6 October 2011, Bilirakis sought to pass a Congressional bill that would :
 * direct the Secretary of State to submit a report on whether any support organization that participated in the planning or execution of the recent Gaza flotilla attempt should be designated as a foreign terrorist organization

The legislation also demands that the State Department, in the same document, report on
 * Any actions taken by the Department of State to express support and gratitude for the principled stance taken by the Government of Greece to prevent the recent Gaza flotilla attempt to violate Israel's lawful blockade of Gaza.

Alex Kane also reports that Bilirakis visited Israel during the summer of 2011 on an AIPAC-affiliate sponsored tour.

Biography
Bilirakis was born on February 8, 1963 in Gainesville, Florida. He is the second-generation son of Greek immigrants. 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. He has helped run his father's campaigns for the past 23 years.

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 and part of Pasco County.

2006 congressional elections
In 2006, Bilirakis sought the congressional seat left vacant by his father, Rep. Mike Bilirakis (R-Fla.). He won the Republican primary on September 5, 2006, with 82% of the vote. In the general election, he faced Democrat Phyllis Busansky.

Bilirakis' declined to debate Busansky in a televised dabate sponsored by the Hillsborough County League of Women Voters in early October. 

Bilirakis defeated Busanky 56% to 44%. .

Money in politics
cid=N00027462&cycle=2006

Committees and Affiliations

 * House Committee on Homeland Security
 * Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism
 * Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection
 * House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
 * Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs

Contact
DC Office: 1630 Longworth HOB Washington DC 20515 ph: 202-225-5755 fx: 202-225-4085 Web Email Website

District Office- Temple Terrace: 10941 N. 56th Street Temple Terrace, FL 33617 ph: 813-985-8541 fx: 813-985-0714

District Office- Palm Harbor: 35111 U.S. Highway 19 North Palm Harbor Professional Center Suite 301 Palm Harbor, FL 34684 ph: 727-773-2871 fx: 727-784-6471

Resources

 * Gus Bilirakis for Congress

Articles

 * Robin Stein, "Bilirakis hides from spotlight," St. Petersburg Times, October 13, 2006.