People in the news

Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.)

U.S. Representative (since January 2007)

(Official photo)

Why He Matters

Bilirakis is serving his 2nd term as congressman for Florida's 9th district. It's the 14th consecutive term a Bilirakis has held the seat, as Gus took over for his retiring father Mike in 2006.

A lawyer whose firm focused on elder law, Bilirakis spent eight years in the Florida House before joining Congress. In February 2009, he was named the ranking Republican on Homeland Security Committee's subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, making him his party's top watchdog over the Department on Homeland Security.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Practicing attorney (1989-2006); Teacher, St. Petersburg College (1997-2001); Aide, U.S. Rep. Don Sundquist, (1985)
  • Birthday: February, 8 1963
  • Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
  • Alma Mater: Stetson U., J.D., 1989; University of Florida, B.A., 1986
  • Spouse: Eva Lialios
  • Religion: Greek Orthodox
  • Committees: Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, Veterans' Affairs
  • DC Office: 1124 Longworth HOB, 202-225-5755
  • District Offices: Palm Harbor, 727-773-2871; Plant City, 813-752-9849
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Born on February 8, 1963, Bilirakus learned about the importance of public service early in his life from his father, Michael, who represented Florida's 9th House district from 1983 to 2006.

Early in his career, Bilirakis volunteered on his father's congressional campaigns, interned for President Ronald Reagan and the National Republican Congressional Committee, and worked for former U.S. Rep. Don Sundquist (R-Tenn).

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The Issues

Bilirakis has focused on health-care issues, especially regarding seniors, and national security during his time in the House. He has voted with House Republicans 94 percent of the time thus far in the 111th Congress.

With Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), he worked to has worked to pass legislation establishing a "Silver Alert" program to assist states in finding missing elderly persons. He also was a lead co-sponsor of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, which passed the House in 2007 to improve treatment of people with paralysis.

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Additional Resources

  1. Bilirakis press release, April 24, 2008
  2. Bilirakis legislative accomplishments, web site, accessed Aug. 31, 2010
  3. Legislative accomplishments, Bilirakis web site, accessed Sept. 1, 2010
  4. Bilirakis biography, web site, accessed Aug. 31, 2010
  5. Washington Post Votes database
  6. National Journal's Almanac of American Politics, 2010 edition
  7. "Silver Alert," Bilirakis web site, accessed Sept. 1, 2010
  8. Bilirakis, Gus, The Tampa Tribune, "Health Care Solutions," Aug. 10, 2010
  9. National Journal, Almanac of American Politics
  10. Bilirakis on Immigration, House web site, accessed Sept. 1, 2010
  11. Allison, Wes, St. Petersburg Times, "Climbing the Ladder," Feb. 4, 2009