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"Our nation is facing a serious economic crisis and I believe we must do all we can to get our economy moving in the right direction again. Last year, Florida ranked second nationally with 255,000 job losses. This is precisely why Congress should be considering a stimulus bill which creates jobs; unfortunately we are instead considering a federal spending spree.
Gus presents Congressional Appreciation Award
On Friday Gus presented the Congressional Appreciation Award to Robert L. Bouschor of Safety Harbor for his for dedicated service in the United States Naval Armed Guard during World War II.
"I strongly opposed the bailout from the beginning and I oppose this attempt to facilitate the expenditure of TARP funds. The bill which passed the House today will expand the types of institutions that can receive TARP funds and increase the power of the Treasury to spend taxpayer funds with little accountability to the American people," said Bilirakis. "Congress should not release additional TARP funds without a clear strategy for deploying the remaining funds effectively and in a way that protects taxpayers."
The Amendment comes on the heels of a Congressional report indicating that the recent refusal of certain private financial institutions to provide any accounting of how they are using taxpayer money undermines public confidence.
Last Wednesday, Gus sent a letter to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), encouraging the Commission to consider the ramifications of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's (CPSIA) implementation. He also urged the CPSC to determine whether they can provide regulatory relief to businesses that will both protect children from dangerous products and ensure the continued survival of retailers that provide much-needed products for deserving children and their families.
On Friday, Gus sent a letter to the House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) urging him to include proposals Bilirakis has made in economic stimulus legislation now making its way through Congress:
"I am heartened that President-Elect Obama has called for bipartisanship as the development of economic stimulus legislation proceeds through Congress and I am encouraged that he has expressed his desire to provide substantial tax relief as part of this proposal." The letter said. "I believe my ideas should be part of any bipartisan effort to strengthen the economy."
By Mimi Andelman, St. Petersburg Times
We won't soon be seeing Grandpa's face or Great-Aunt Shirley's height and weight on a milk carton, but we now have something that's sadly familiar for folks of missing kids: the "Silver Alert." It's the elder version of the "Amber Alert" that is quickly dispatched by law enforcement agencies when a child goes missing.