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"I would like to thank my colleagues in both the House and Senate, especially Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), for their support of the Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act," said Congressman Bilirakis.

"Despite a dip in the unemployment rate, hundreds of thousands of Americans have given up looking for work. Today's jobs report is just one more example of the critical need for Congress to come together and find a long-term, bipartisan resolution to our country's economic problems.

Bilirakis is the only Republican from Florida on the Committee in the 113th Congress.

The appointment was made by the Republican Steering Committee and is expected to be ratified in a pro-forma vote by the full House GOP conference before the start of the new session of Congress.

"Today's United Nations General Assembly vote elevating Palestinian Authority-run "Palestine" to the status of a non-member observer state is both regretful and disheartening.? Unilateral actions by the Palestinian leadership do not contribute to a durable and lasting peace between the Palestinians and their neighbors.?

"Experts have repeatedly noted that the threat of a WMD attack is real. We must work to ensure plans, medication and equipment are available to protect the public, including emergency response providers, in the event of an attack. The legislation passed by the House today recognizes the continued importance of ensuring medical preparedness activities remain allowable grant uses.

Congressman Bilirakis: "To imply that defending a country's own citizens in the face of terror constitutes a ‘terrorist state' is not only outrageous, but also undermines current peace negotiations. Israel is our most important and strategic ally in the Middle East, serving on the front lines against terrorism and weapons proliferation.