Media

WASHINGTON (10 Sep.) -- U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Veterans' Affairs, today issued the following statement in response to a full-page advertisement placed in today's New York Times by anti-war organization MoveOn.org depicting General David Petraeus as a traitor:

"This ad is another attempt at what has been a pattern over the past week to impugn the character and career of a decorated military commander in order to fit a backwards political agenda.

WASHINGTON (10 Sep.) -- U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Veterans' Affairs, today issued the following statement in response to a full-page advertisement placed in today's New York Times by anti-war organization MoveOn.org depicting General David Petraeus as a traitor:

"This ad is another attempt at what has been a pattern over the past week to impugn the character and career of a decorated military commander in order to fit a backwards political agenda.

WASHINGTON (10 Sep.) -- After hearing testimony Monday from both the nation's top military commander and U.S. diplomat in Iraq, U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, continues to remain cautiously optimistic about current developments in Iraq and encouraged about the news of approaching troop withdrawals.

WASHINGTON (Sep. 5) -- During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Wednesday, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) questioned Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the wider security concerns raised in light of the federal indictment of two foreign-born University of South Florida (USF) students on explosives charges.

This week, I participated in a hearing to examine the health and safety risks our first responders face as they respond to and assist in the recovery from catastrophic incidents.

Our nation depends on these heroes - those who put their lives on the line to save others - to protect us during times of great crisis and chaos. The question I think we all must ask ourselves is: who is protecting them?

WASHINGTON (23 Aug.) -- U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) today presented the Bronze Star Medal, along with a host of other service medals, to New Port Richey resident, Mr. Nick Kostinko, who served as part of the U.S. Army's 830th Air Engineer Squadron from 1942 to 1952.

One of the greatest threats to the safety and security of the American people is the penetration of our vast maritime borders by those who wish to conduct terrorist attacks against the United States. Every year countless illegal migrants gain entry to the United States through our maritime borders. Among those who are caught, many are suspected to be repeat immigration violators, violent criminals, smugglers and possibly even terrorists. The problem is that we just don't know for sure who these people are.