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TAMPA ? Three Florida lawmakers are urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to move forward with a major construction project at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center that a VA cost analysis said would more than pay for itself over the next 30 years.
Last Saturday, Gus hosted a forum to highlight the treatment of Coptic Christians in Egypt, honor the late Pope Shenouda, and promote religious freedom in the Middle East and worldwide.
The Congressman was joined by former Congressman Fred Grandy, who now serves as Executive Vice President of the Center for Security Policy and is an expert on religious freedom and national security issues, and Cynthia Farahat, a political activist and Coptic Christian who has personally experienced the persecution of Coptics in Egypt.
As leader of the largest port in Florida, both in terms of cargo tonnage and land area, Wainio will address the vital role ports play in fueling local, state and national economies.
"As our economy continues to recover, ports will play a significant role in the country's return to prosperity," Bilirakis said. "Tampa Bay is lucky to have such a pivotal port in its backyard, and we must ensure that it continues to serve as a local economic driver and as a gateway to national and international commerce."
"America's small businesses create two-thirds of the new jobs in this country, yet they face numerous obstacles that are preventing a robust economic recovery. This bill will help reduce those burdens and provide job creators the opportunity to grow, hire and create meaningful opportunities for residents throughout Tampa Bay."
According to the Small Business Administration, there were nearly 400,000 small businesses (with less than 500 employees) in Florida in 2009, employing nearly 3 million individuals.
"To uphold the integrity of the alliance, long-held NATO rulings and agreements should be honored and should not be allowed to be circumvented," Bilirakis said. "As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, I can tell you first hand that this is a very important issue. The United States, as a NATO member, needs to consider expansion cohesively and within the framework of the alliance."
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco testified at the hearing, speaking on behalf of the first responder and local law enforcement community.
Watch Bilirakis' opening statement here:
Watch Nocco's opening statement here:
Bipartisanship and 'crowdfunding'
By GUS BILIRAKIS | Special To The Tampa Tribune
Published: April 10, 2012
https://bit.ly/IjWRQW
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-09) invited Nocco to speak on behalf of the first responder and law enforcement community.
The forum will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the St. Mary & St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church, 2930 County Road 193, in Clearwater.
"This event is a rare opportunity for Coptic Christians, and for all those in the Tampa Bay area who are interested in promoting religious freedom, to learn from national experts about the challenges religious minorities face throughout the world," said Bilirakis, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Middle East and South Asia Subcommittee as well as International Religious Freedom Caucus.
Wesley Chapel, FL (April 12, 2012) ? As part of his constituent work week, Gus on Monday visited Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, which is under construction and scheduled to be completed in September.
When complete, the hospital will feature state-of-the-art technology and research opportunities in a three-story, 80-bed center that will eventually expand to six floors and 300 beds.
"This hospital will serve a growing need in the Wesley Chapel area," Gus said. "I look forward to seeing its completion and welcoming the hospital to the community."