Gus Bilirakis has near a lifetime’s worth of political experience in the Tampa Bay area. A congressman, the longtime politician also served in Florida’s House of Representatives and worked tirelessly on his father’s congressional campaigns before taking the torch himself in 2007.
The Bilirakis name, particularly in Tarpon Springs and in North Pinellas, is synonymous with power. Bilirakis is on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, including the Health Subcommittee; Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee; and Communications and Technology Subcommittee.
Bilirakis holds the vice chairmanship of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs including the Subcommittee on Health.
Bilirakis also holds several leadership roles. He co-chairs caucuses for Community College, Congenital Heart and Veterans as well as the Hellenic-Israel Alliance. He chairs the Republican Police Committee, Veterans’ Affairs Task Force, and is on the Congressional Award Board of Directors.
“There are few Members of Congress who have devoted their tenure to advocating for the needs of veterans than Congressman Gus Bilirakis. His service as chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Task Force for the Republican Policy Committee, vice chair of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and other leadership positions has allowed him to accomplish many important policy and service improvements for our nation’s men and women in uniform,” said Pasco County Tax Appraiser Mike Fasano. “During the current session, Congressman Bilirakis’ PROMISE Act, which will improve health care and services for veterans through the Veterans Administration health care system, is making its way towards the House floor.”
“Additionally, Congressman Bilirakis’ efforts to ensure adequate funding is available for mental health issues that many veterans face, as well as ensuring that the VA can deliver those services, is a key point of concern as the fiscal 2017 budget is being built. I have nothing but high praise for Congressman Bilirakis’ efforts to ensure that our military veterans receive the best health care possible,” Fasano said.
Bilirakis is also leading an effort to extend Ridge Road in Pasco County for what project supporters consider a key road improvement for hurricane evacuation.
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For a complete explanation of how this list was created and who comprised the panel that assembled it, please read here.
