WASHINGTON (17 November) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, today delivered the following remarks regarding the Obama Administration's plan to bring terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay to the United States for trial.

WASHINGTON (7 November) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today announced that he would vote against H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, and support the Republican alternative health care reform bill:

“Speaker Pelosi’s $1.2 trillion health care plan will radically grow the size of government and create crushing new mandates and taxes on individuals and small businesses. The plan will cut Medicare for seniors by $500 billion, and will lead to fewer choices and higher premiums for Florida’s families.

“I believe that there is a better way to reform our nation’s health care system. The Republican health care plan is a responsible and targeted approach that will lower premiums, making coverage more affordable for families and employers, without raising taxes during a recession or cutting Medicare for seniors like the Pelosi plan does."

WASHINGTON (6 November) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor reported that the nation’s economy lost 190,000 jobs in the month of October and the unemployment rate rose from 9.8 percent to 10.2 percent, its highest since 1983:

"With more than 1 million Floridians looking for work, Washington needs to put the brakes on inflicting more damage by passing the $1.2 trillion Pelosi health care plan. The Pelosi plan raises taxes on families and small businesses by more than $700 billion and will result in more jobs being lost. Instead of repeatedly saddling our nation with more taxes and more debt, Congress should pass economic solutions that let families and small businesses keep more of what they earn so they can innovate, grow, and create jobs to turn our economy around.

“The Republican health care plan is a responsible approach to reform. It doesn’t raise taxes during a recession and will lower premiums, making coverage more affordable for families and employers while reducing the deficit by $68 billion.”

WASHINGTON (5 November) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed that the Republican health care plan will lower premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years without raising taxes or cutting Medicare for seniors:

"The Republican plan lowers health care costs and expands access to quality care without raising taxes, cutting Medicare, killing jobs, or putting federal bureaucrats between patients and their doctors. 

“The trillion dollar Democratic plan raises taxes on individuals and small businesses, raids Medicare to pay for a government takeover of health care, and gives the federal government more power over personal health care decisions. The Republican plan clearly is the preferable approach, especially since it is the only one taxpayers can afford.   

“The GOP plan establishes programs to help people with pre-existing conditions obtain coverage through high-risk insurance pools, prevents insurers from unjustly cancelling policies because people get sick and need costly care, and prohibits insurers from instituting annual or lifetime spending caps for people with high health care costs.

“These consumer protections, coupled with common sense ideas like medical liability reform, strengthening association health plans, and allowing people to purchase health insurance across state lines will make health care more affordable without breaking the bank.”

NOTE: Read the full letter from the CBO here (PDF). Read a summary of the GOP health care plan here (PDF).

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (3 November) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today announced that he is hosting a Financial Aid Forum and College Fair. The event will offer one-stop shopping for students and parents, providing them with the opportunity to learn more about available financial aid resources, as well as speak with school representatives face-to-face.

The forum will include a presentation from financial aid experts at the Sallie Mae Fund. The College fair will feature representatives from local colleges, career education and technical training schools, and the U.S. Military Service Academies.

Representatives from the University of South Florida, University of Tampa, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, Hillsborough Community College and Technical & Adult Centers are confirmed to attend.

All media inquiries should be directed to David Peluso at (202) 225-5755. To RSVP or to obtain additional information on this event, please contact Congressman Bilirakis's Palm Harbor District Office at (727) 773-2871.

What: Rep. Bilirakis Announces Financial Aid Forum and College Fair

Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Where: Strawberry Crest High School: 4691 Gallagher Road, Dover, FL 33527 (Just off Interstate 4, Exit 14). Get Directions.

Time:  College Fair held in the cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Financial Aid Forum held in the auditorium from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON (29 October) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and other Democratic leaders unveiled their latest plan for a government takeover of health care:

"Instead of working to produce health care reform that would control rising costs and provide greater access to insurance for those who lack it, the Democrat's today emerged from behind closed doors to repackage the same heavy-handed, big government approach they have proposed since day one. Their plan will slash Medicare for seniors, raise taxes and lead to fewer choices and more costly premiums while reducing the quality of care we all receive.

“We should move away from more government bureaucracy and instead build upon our current system while preserving the quality of care and keeping individuals in charge of their own health care decisions. Congress should be working on sensible answers that will lower costs and increase access to insurance such as tort reform, cleaning up fraud, strengthening insurance so it is portable and can be purchased across state lines, and expanding access to care through community health centers.”

WASHINGTON (29 October) – Late Wednesday evening, President Obama signed into law the Fiscal Year 2010 Department of Homeland Security Act, which included an initiative sponsored by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) to enhance our nation’s visa screening capabilities overseas to keep terrorists out of the United States.

The Bilirakis provision increases funding for the Visa Security Program, which is an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program that places security officers at high-risk overseas posts to carefully investigate and scrutinize visa applicants. Currently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement operates 14 visa security units around the world.

“The Visa Security Program is a vital terrorist detection tool which allows ICE to aggressively examine visa applications to identify potential terrorists before they gain entry to the United States,” said Bilirakis. “The increased funding will provide ICE with needed resources to establish an additional visa security unit and accelerate the addition of new units overseas in the coming years.”

The provision is budget neutral and transferred funds from administrative purposes under the Office of the Secretary of Homeland Security to ICE's Visa Security Program.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (22 October) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.) is joining with local non-profit and government agencies to host a Seniors Health Fair, Monday, October 26th  from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Madison Square Special Event Center: 4035 Madison Street, New Port Richey, Florida. Free health tests and screenings will be offered for diabetes, cholesterol, oxygenation, hearing, vision, blood pressure, skin cancer, mental health and dementia-related illnesses. Seasonal Flu shots will also be available.

Additional resources offered to seniors include nutrition counseling, information on prescription drug coverage, respite and Alzheimer’s care needs, employment information and veterans' services.

WHEN:        Monday - October 26, 2009: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.                  

WHERE:      Madison Square Special Event Center: 4035 Madison Street, New Port Richey, Fla.

PRESS:       Rep. Bilirakis will be available for interviews & stand-ups regarding Health Care Reform.

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WASHINGTON (15 October) – During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing Thursday, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) issued the following statement, calling on the White House to allow General Stanley McChrystal to testify before Congress and detail how best to implement his strategy for achieving the goal of denying a safe haven to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan:

“As more American military members are facing greater perils and dying in higher numbers, I believe that the Administration should be providing much needed information about where we are and where we’re going in Afghanistan.

“This uncertainty is very disconcerting. Our policy should be articulated clearly.  In August I traveled to Afghanistan and had the honor of meeting with General McChrystal. He shared with me important information about our progress in fighting the Taliban and Al-Qaeda – information that would benefit this committee and the American people. He has also provided a clear, blunt report that articulated an explicit course of action.

“The White House should allow General McChrystal to testify before Congress soon. His testimony is essential to help Congress make informed decisions about our future in the region. We need to hear from General McChrystal to determine how we can achieve victory in Afghanistan and help our brave men and women who are fighting there accomplish their mission of denying Al Qaeda a safe haven to plan future attacks against America and our allies.”

WASHINGTON (9 October) – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, today sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting information on the distribution and oversight of the Department of Homeland Security’s funding to ACORN and its affiliates. Full committee Ranking Member Peter King (R-N.Y.) and every Subcommittee Ranking Member joined Bilirakis in signing the letter. To read the letter in its entirety click here.

“There needs to be an immediate accounting of any funding ACORN is receiving from the Department of Homeland Security,” added Bilirakis. “Scarce homeland security resources should only be provided to reputable organizations that will strengthen our nation’s security, not wasted on those that won’t.”

On September 17, Bilirakis contacted Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate expressing strong opposition to the Agency’s September 4, 2009, decision to award a nearly $1 million Fire Prevention and Safety grant to the ACORN Institute of New Orleans, Louisiana.  FEMA officials recently announced that the agency has not, and will not; provide any of this funding to ACORN, an organization that has engaged in questionable, and in some cases unlawful behavior.

WASHINGTON (8 October) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement regarding the state of Florida’s economy. At 10.7 percent, the state's most recent jobless rate was up from 6.5 percent the same time last year and at a 34 year high. The Tampa Bay area has been particularly hard hit with the current unemployment rate now topping 11 percent:

"Simply put the Obama Administration's stimulus has failed to create the job growth which it promised. In February, the White House predicted that the stimulus would create over 200,000 jobs in our state through the end of 2010. In fact Florida is on the wrong track to meet that projection having shed roughly 150,000 jobs since February. Any economic stimulus bill must focus on creating jobs and providing tax relief, not runaway government spending.

“The best way to encourage economic growth is to allow taxpayers to keep more of their own money to spend. We should be enacting fast acting tax relief which would create jobs and lower the tax burden on working families and small businesses.”

NOTE: The White House's February 2009 projection of the number of jobs that would be created by the 2009 stimulus law (through the end of 2010) does not compare favorably with the actual change in state payroll employment through August 2009 (the latest state-by-state figures currently available).  Florida lost 150,000 jobs between February and August 2009.

WASHINGTON (7 October) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight, today issued the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decided to halt a $1 million grant it awarded to ACORN in New Orleans as part of FEMA's Fire Prevention and Safety Grants program:

“ACORN has demonstrated it is not worthy of the public’s trust, and I am pleased that FEMA has agreed with me and others in Congress who believe we should not be funding this corrupt enterprise.

"Taxpayer's money should not be going to an organization which has engaged in unlawful behavior. ACORN employees were recently caught on tape encouraging prostitution, tax fraud, and human trafficking. This is not the type of activity that should be rewarded with scarce homeland security resources.”

NOTE: On September 17, Bilirakis sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) asking the agency to repeal a nearly $1 million grant it awarded to ACORN earlier this month which can be found here.

WASHINGTON (28 September) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee, today lauded the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) decision to issue checks to students awaiting education benefits as part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

"It is critical that we honor the commitment we have made to our service men and women, and I’m pleased that the Department has issued this emergency funding to carry eligible veterans through until their applications are processed,” said Bilirakis. “Veterans should not be placed in the awkward position of having to scrape together money to pay for benefits they have earned.”

According to the VA more than 50,000 veterans and their relatives have given notice that they are enrolled in college for the fall semester and are hoping to be receiving payments for tuition, housing and books under the program. To date roughly 27,000 students have received benefits, leaving nearly half of eligible veterans responsible for living and education expenses until they receive reimbursement.

The VA has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for education benefits and who have not yet received payments for tuition, housing and books as part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Starting Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, students can go to one of VA’s 57 regional benefit offices with a photo ID, a course schedule and an eligibility certificate to request advance payment of their housing and book allowance. The VA also expects to send representatives to schools with large Veteran-student bodies and work with Veteran Service Organizations to assist students in this process.

A list of VA regional offices is available at www.vba.va.gov/VBA/benefits/offices.asp

For more information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill visit http://www.gibill.va.gov/

WASHINGTON (16 September) - Today U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, delivered the following remarks after sending a letter to President Obama asking him to end taxpayer funding of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). In addition, Bilirakis co-sponsored H.R. 3571, the Defund ACORN Act, which would prevent any federal funding or support for ACORN. Since 1994, ACORN has received more than $50 million in direct funding from the federal government.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (27 August) - U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today announced that he has teamed up with local employment centers in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties to host a career fair for residents of the 9th Congressional District.

A variety of area employers will be on hand at the Oldsmar Public Library on Wednesday, September 2nd between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to accept resumes, job applications, and conduct interviews. In addition, career counselors will be available to discuss such topics as how to apply for a federal job, resume writing, job search strategies in a challenging economy and tips for a successful interview. The event is free and all area job-seekers are invited.

According to data from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, the Tampa Bay area's unemployment rate now tops 11 percent while Florida's has risen to 10.7 percent. This equates to roughly 990,000 out of Florida's 9.2 million person labor force being out of work, reflecting more than 400,000 fewer jobs in Florida than a year ago.

"At a time when Floridians are facing double digit unemployment for the first time in decades, we must do all we can to connect those who are out of work with employers," said Bilirakis. "This career fair will serve as an excellent opportunity for those in search of work to meet with potential employers in the area."
 
Representatives from numerous area employers will be on hand along with the Tampa Bay Workforce Alliance, Worknet Pinellas, and the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of the following items to the fair:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of References

PALM HARBOR, Fla.  (20 August)  – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District including portions of Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, will be hosting his 3rd Annual Military Day & Veterans' Resource Fair on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

The event will be held at East Lake High School , 1300 Silver Eagle Drive, Tarpon Springs, Fla., from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

All veterans (past, present and future), their families and friends are welcome to attend this event. Longtime veterans advocate and entertainer, Tony Orlando will join military and veterans officials who will be on hand to discuss a myriad of services, benefits and information for veterans and their families. Some informational topics include medical/dental care, veterans' claims and services, education benefits, job placement/employment services, housing and social services. The fair will also feature a special welcome home for Vietnam Veterans.

"My office provides many important services for all veterans and their families in the Ninth Congressional District," said Bilirakis, who sits on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. "Whether it is providing assistance with VA claims or working with federal agencies to solve complex issues, my office is here to help."

Florida currently has the second largest population of veterans, and the highest percentage of totally disabled veterans, in the United States.  With almost 1.8 million veterans now calling Florida home, many bay area residents either have a family member who has served or is currently serving in the Armed Forces.

This event is open to the media.  Photo opportunities include military hardware on display, paratroopers, a military fly-over, drill team, and color and honor guard presentations. All media inquiries should be directed to David Peluso at (202) 225-5755. For event information or directions, please contact Congressman Bilirakis’s Palm Harbor office at (727) 773-2871.

PALM HARBOR, Fla. (24 July)  – On Saturday July 25 U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, will salute the courage of the Tuskegee Airmen by presenting Mildred Wilson, widow of Staff Sergeant Elmer Wilson, with a bronze Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal for her husband's valiant service during World War II. The presentation will take place at 1:00 p.m. at the Church on the Bayou Presbyterian Church, 409 Whitcomb Blvd., Tarpon Springs, Fla.

The Tuskegee Airmen were a dedicated group of African Americans who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen during World War II as part of the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps. While the group was praised for their work flying combat aircraft against the Nazis, they faced discrimination at home.

“The perseverance and courage exhibited by Staff Sergeant Wilson played an important role in the liberation of millions of people,” said Bilirakis. “I am honored to have the opportunity to help recognize his intrepid service as well as the support and resolve of his wife Mildred, who served as a constant pillar of strength back home.”
 
In 1942 Elmer H. Wilson, a Philadelphia native, was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps.  His high test scores and previous mechanical experience led to his selection to the Tuskegee Army Air Field's 99th Pursuit Squadron in Tuskegee, Alabama, where he trained in armament and camera technology.  Staff Sergeant Wilson, known to his friends as "Pop Wilson", earned two Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Medal during his service.

His wife Mildred Wilson is the seventh of 10 children and married Elmer during the summer of 1941. Six months later, Elmer was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mildred eventually earned a master's degree in education and taught high school for 19 years while raising four children before retiring. The couple moved to Tarpon Springs in 1988, where Elmer died eight years later. Mildred is still giving piano lessons at the age of 89.

Mildred said her husband never said much about the time he spent as a camera technician in the U.S. Army Air Corps. "They got called all kinds of names," Mildred Wilson said of the Tuskegee Airmen. "But it didn't bother (Elmer).”

This event is open to the media. All media inquiries should be directed to David Peluso at (202) 225-5755. For event information or directions, please contact Congressman Bilirakis’s Palm Harbor office at (727) 773-2871.

WASHINGTON (17 July)  – U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), representing Florida’s 9th Congressional District, today issued the following statement regarding Florida’s unemployment rate as it continued its upward trend, with the seasonally adjusted rate for June hitting 10.6 percent:

“At a time when Floridians are facing double digit unemployment for the first time in decades, Congress should not be pushing through a government takeover of health care that will be paid for by a tax hike on small businesses. Simply put, the proposed plan places a stifling new tax of up to 5.4 percent on small businesses.  In a recession nearing double-digit unemployment nationally, this misguided health care experiment will discourage job growth and creation, leading to even higher unemployment.

“While I agree that we need to take action to make health care more affordable for all Americans, I don’t believe that we should replace our current system entirely and put the government in control of the nation’s health care. Instead, we should embark on responsible reform that addresses the shortcomings of the current system while bringing health care costs under control. Specifically, we can start reducing costs through encouraging preventative care to treat conditions before they become more serious and costly, and passing meaningful medical liability reform to keep prices down while eliminating waste and fraud in the federal health care system. In addition, we can strengthen associated health care plans to allow more groups to pool risk so they can join together and provide affordable heath coverage while increasing transparency in pricing so people can more accurately comparison shop.”  

“Reform should be about establishing a framework to improve people's purchasing power and access to quality care, not more government bureaucracy.”