BILIRAKIS, MICHAEL (a Representative from Florida)

Appointments

Conferee: H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug and Modernization Act, H6681 [14JY]

———H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act, H7954 [5SE]

———H.R. 1588, Dept. of Defense appropriations for military activities and prescribing personnel strengths, H6907 [16JY]

North Atlantic Assembly, H680 [13FE]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

AMVETS: recognize members for their service to the nation and support the goal of AMVETS National Charter Day (see H. Con. Res. 308), H11393 (see H. Con. Res. 308), H11516 [18NO]

Animal Welfare Act: improve care and treatment standards for certain dogs (see H.R. 3484), H11133 [7NO]

———strengthen enforcement of animal fighting provisions (see H.R. 1532), H10978 [6NO]

Animals: prohibit the intentional feeding of bears on Federal lands (see H.R. 1472), H3763 [7MY]

Armed Forces: exempt certain members from requirement to pay subsistence charges while hospitalized (see H.R. 2998), H8954 [29SE]

———issue commemorative postage stamp in remembrance of victims of peacekeeping mission in Beirut, Lebanon (see H. Res. 45), H4529 [21MY]

———issue postage stamp in commemoration of those who distinguished themselves by their service in the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard (see H. Con. Res. 37), H462 [12FE]

———reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service (see H.R. 742), H461 [12FE]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see H.R. 58), H1466 [27FE]

Armenia: normal trade relations status (see H.R. 528), H7225 [21JY]

Arthur `Pappy' Kennedy Post Office Building, Orlando, FL: designate (see H.R. 1882), H7618 [24JY]

Blair, Tony: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 1511), H3763 [7MY]

Bob Hope Post Office Building, Burbank, CA: designate (see H.R. 3011), H8083 [9SE]

Bob Stump Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Prescott, AZ: designate (see H.R. 2806), H7618 [24JY]

Brigadier General (AUS-Ret.) John H. McLain Post Office, Sarasota, FL: designate (see H.R. 3068), H8174 [10SE]

Budget: constitutional amendment to require balanced (see H.J. Res. 22), H704 [13FE]

Chen Shui-bian: U.S. visit (see H. Con. Res. 302), H9983 [28OC]

Children and youth: improve access to books in early learning and other child care programs and establish special postage stamps to fund child literacy programs (see H.R. 126), H706 [13FE]

China, Republic of: endorse and obtain observer status at the World Health Assembly summit in Switzerland (see H.R. 441), H324 [5FE]

———membership in the U.N. (see H. Con. Res. 284), H8283 [16SE]

Citizenship: restrict citizenship of individuals based solely on birth in the U.S. (see H.R. 1567), H3858 [8MY]

Clean Air Act: modify certain provisions relative to methyl bromide (see H.R. 3403), H10458 [5NO]

Columbia (space shuttle): award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to crew (see H.R. 525), H8491 [23SE]

Computers: regulate the transmission of unsolicited commercial e-mail (see H.R. 2214), H5664 [19JN]

Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide: reaffirm support and commemorate anniversary of Genocide Convention Implementation Act (see H. Res. 193), H3304 [10AP]

Courts: modify jurisdiction of Federal courts, inferior to the Supreme Court, over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance (see H.R. 2028), H5046 [5JN]

———prevent frivolous lawsuits against manufacturers, distributors, or sellers of food or non-alcoholic beverage products that comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements (see H.R. 339), H8491 [23SE]

Cyprus: express support for a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement relative to Turkish occupation (see H. Con. Res. 79), H1903 [13MR] (see H. Res. 165), H2472 [27MR]

———support removal of Turkish occupation troops (see H. Res. 320), H7019 [16JY]

Dept. of Justice: extend authorization for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program (see H.R. 1708), H3975 [9MY]

Dept. of Labor: impose limitations on the wage that an employer is required to pay an H-2A nonimmigrant agricultural worker (see H.R. 1606), H4877 [3JN]

Dept. of State: eliminate the diversity immigrant program (see H.R. 775), H3762 [7MY]

Dept. of the Interior: conduct study to determine the national significance of the Miami Circle and the suitability and feasibility of inclusion in Biscayne National Park (see H.R. 1361), H2131 [19MR]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: restrict the performance of eye surgery at a facility, or under a contract with the Dept., to only licensed medical doctors and licensed doctors of osteopathy (see H.R. 3473), H10978 [6NO]

Diseases: provide benefits for certain individuals sustaining injury as a result of smallpox vaccination (see H.R. 1413), H2310 [25MR] (see H.R. 1463), H2470 [27MR]

Dunlap, Ericka: tribute (see H. Res. 380), H8950 [25SE]

Eddie Mae Steward Post Office Building, Jacksonville, FL: designate (see H.R. 1883), H7618 [24JY]

Electric power: provide that no electric utility shall be required to enter into a new contract or obligation to purchase or to sell electricity or capacity (see H.R. 1341), H1954 [18MR]

Employment: provide effective training and education programs for displaced homemakers, single parents, and individuals entering nontraditional employment (see H.R. 3259), H12922 [8DE]

English language: reaffirm as official language of U.S., establish uniform English language rule for naturalization, and avoid misconstructions of English language texts of U.S. laws (see H.R. 997), H3683 [6MY]

FCC: ensure expeditious access by consumers to terrestrial digital television services (see H.R. 2825), H7453 [23JY]

Federal employees: treatment of retirement benefits for assistant U.S. attorneys (see H.R. 2260), H9282 [7OC]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: establish a program of fees relative to animal drugs (see H.R. 1260), H1900 [13MR]

———regulate noncorrective contact lenses as medical devices (see H.R. 2218), H4734 [22MY]

Firearms: permit States to provide reciprocal treatment for carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents (see H.R. 990), H4739 [22MY]

———prohibit lawsuits against weapons manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers (see H.R. 1036), H2822 [3AP]

———protect right to keep and bear arms (see H.R. 3125), H11392 (see H.R. 3125), H11516 [18NO]

Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (see H.J. Res. 4), H60 [7JA]

Florida Marlins (baseball team): tribute (see H. Res. 415), H9981 [28OC]

Frank, Anne: issue commemorative postage stamp (see H. Res. 273), H5714 [23JN]

Franklin, Benjamin: mint coins in commemoration of tercentenary of birth (see H.R. 3204), H12921 [8DE]

FTC: collect fees for implementation and enforcement of a ``do-not-call'' registry relative to telemarketing firms (see H.R. 395), H392 [11FE]

Gehrig, Lou: recognize contributions in the fight against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (see H. Res. 278), H5408 [16JN]

Greece: recognize and appreciate significance, heroism, and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II and commend the PanCretan Association of America (see H. Res. 244), H4368 [20MY]

———return of the Parthenon Marbles (see H. Con. Res. 165), H3762 [7MY] (see H. Con. Res. 175), H3974 [9MY]

Health: increase Federal investment in programs that provide health care services to uninsured and low-income individuals in medically underserved areas (see H. Res. 142), H1902 [13MR]

Higher Education Act: provide deferments and interest payments for borrowers of student loans who are called to active military duty (see H.R. 1168), H3683 [6MY]

Housing: provide affordability and ensure a competitive North American market for softwood lumber (see H. Con. Res. 197), H4738 [22MY]

Immigration: bar admission and facilitate removal of alien terrorists and their supporters, drug traffickers, and other illegal or criminal aliens and reform the visa and legal immigration systems (see H.R. 3522), H12312 [21NO]

———enhance Federal, State, and local enforcement of immigration laws (see H.R. 2671), H7170 [18JY]

———moratorium (see H.R. 946), H3683 [6MY]

———prohibit Federal agencies from accepting foreign issued identification other than passports (see H.R. 687), H5267 [11JN]

Jamestown, VA: mint coins in commemoration of settlement anniversary (see H.R. 1914), H8906 [24SE]

Judge Edward Rodgers Post Office Building, West Palm Beach, FL: designate (see H.R. 2075), H4788 [2JN]

King, Martin Luther, Jr.: mint coins in commemoration (see H.R. 589), H5714 [23JN]

Labor unions: protect the free choice of individual employees relative to participation in labor organizations (see H.R. 391), H3683 [6MY]

Languages: repeal Executive order on providing access to Federal programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency (see H.R. 300), H463 [12FE]

Law enforcement officers: exempt from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns (see H.R. 218), H59 [7JA]

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act: clarify exemption for recreational vessel support employees (see H.R. 1329), H5664 [19JN]

Medicare: provide regulatory relief and contracting flexibility (see H.R. 810), H701 [13FE]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (see H.R. 1), H5928 [25JN]

Motor vehicles: protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, service, and repair their motor vehicles (see H.R. 2735), H6868 [15JY]

National Bone Marrow Donor Registry: reauthorize (see H.R. 3034), H8016 [5SE]

National Community Health Center Week: establish (see H. Res. 240), H4254 [19MY]

National Labor Relations Act: protect employer rights (see H.R. 1793), H4205 [15MY]

National security: enhance research, development, procurement, and use of biomedical countermeasures to respond to public health threats (see H.R. 2122), H4203 [15MY]

Pensions: provide special funding requirements for certain pension plans maintained by commercial passenger air carriers (see H.R. 2719), H11133 [7NO]

POW: provide special compensation for former POWs (see H.R. 850), H1903 [13MR]

Privacy: protect and enhance consumer privacy (see H.R. 1636), H2821 [3AP]

Public Health Service Act: amend relative to the shortage of medical laboratory personnel (see H.R. 623), H321 [5FE]

Public welfare programs: reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (see H.R. 4), H273 [4FE]

———require identification used to obtain Federal public benefits meet restrictions ensuring that it is secure and verifiable (see H.R. 502), H4787 [2JN]

Roads and highways: empower State and local authorities with tools to eliminate congestion on the Interstate System (see H.R. 1767), H6264 [26JN]

———increase minimum State allocations provided for use in carrying out certain highway programs (see H.R. 2208), H4734 [22MY]

Roberto Clemente Walker Post Office Building, Carolina, PR: designate (see H.R. 2826), H7453 [23JY]

Robertson, George I.M.: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3263), H9813 [21OC]

Science: prohibit the cloning of humans (see H.R. 234), H134 [8JA] (see H.R. 534), H1334 [25FE]

Social Security: choice of benefit payment method relative to computation rule application to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982 (see H.R. 97), H6464 [9JY]

———computation system for benefits relative to spouses' or surviving spouses' Government pensions (see H.R. 887), H2703 [2AP]

———extend availability of allotments under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 531), H317 [5FE] (see H.R. 2854), H7615 [24JY]

———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see H.R. 594), H9130 [1OC]

Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act: restate, clarify, and revise (see H.R. 100), H2703 [2AP]

States: require candidates for driver's licenses to demonstrate an ability to exercise greatly increased caution when driving in the proximity of potentially visually impaired individuals (see H. Con. Res. 56), H1903 [13MR]

Syria: halt support for terrorism, end occupation of Lebanon, stop development of weapons of mass destruction, and cease illegal importation of Iraqi oil (see H.R. 1828), H5408 [16JN]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football team): tribute (see H. Res. 31), H171 [27JA]

Taxation: allow a deduction for State and local sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes (see H.R. 720), H1746 [11MR]

———allow a refundable credit for the purchase of private health insurance and establish State health insurance safety-net programs (see H.R. 583), H2271 [20MR]

———allow a tax credit for certain energy-efficient property (see H.R. 2113), H4203 [15MY]

———allow Federal civilian and military retirees to pay health insurance premiums on a pretax basis and allow a deduction for TRICARE supplemental premiums (see H.R. 1231), H9282 [7OC]

———allow use of principal repayments to issue additional mortgages and modify price limitations under the mortgage revenue bond program and change income limit for housing credit program (see H.R. 284), H3762 [7MY]

———change deadline for filing income tax returns (see H.R. 1725), H5664 [19JN]

———increase deduction for teacher classroom supplies and expand to include qualified professional development expenses (see H.R. 785), H3857 [8MY]

———permit churches and other houses of worship to engage in political campaigns (see H.R. 235), H3683 [6MY]

———repeal income tax, abolish the IRS, and institute a national retail sales tax (see H.R. 25), H11392 (see H.R. 25), H11515 [18NO]

———treatment of flexible spending arrangements relative to long-term care insurance (see H.R. 2096), H4130 [14MY]

Television: preserve localism, promote diversity in programming, encourage competition, and prevent excessive concentration of ownership of broadcast stations (see H.R. 2052), H6349 [8JY]

Turkey: call for the release of certain Kurdish members of the Parliament from prison, and for the recognition of full cultural and language rights for the Kurdish people (see H. Res. 302), H8176 [10SE]

———claim of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean Sea (see H. Con. Res. 87), H1745 [11MR]

Veterans: change effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (see H.R. 1653), H2863 [7AP]

———increase the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic annuity for certain surviving spouses and provide for an open season under that plan (see H.R. 548), H318 [5FE]

———mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces (see H.R. 2823), H12311 [21NO]

———recognize and honor the volunteers that participate in honor guards for veterans' funerals (see H. Con. Res. 260), H7785 [25JY]

Veterans Health Administration: establish office to oversee research compliance and assurance (see H.R. 1585), H2819 [3AP]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: study eligibility requirements for inclusion of veterans' names and alternative means to honor ineligible veterans (see H.R. 2540), H7787 [25JY]

Winston E. Arnow Federal Building, Pensacola, FL: designate (see H.R. 1572), H5046 [5JN]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Armed Forces: extend enrollment period for educational assistance under the Montgomery GI Bill (see H.R. 3041), H8081 [9SE]

Disabled: enhance and further research into paralysis and improve rehabilitation and quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities (see H.R. 1998), H3760 [7MY]

EPA: provide additional authority to the Office of Ombudsman (see H.R. 347), H169 [27JA]

Health: establish system of health insurance certificates to increase the number of Americans with health insurance coverage (see H.R. 2698), H6602 [10JY]

———expand applicability of laws preventing governmental discrimination against health care entities who refuse to perform or provide training in performing abortions (see H.R. 3664), H12918 [8DE]

———improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (see H.R. 663), H389 [11FE]

———promote organ donation (see H.R. 399), H217 [28JA]

———technical amendments to legislation reauthorizing health centers program and National Health Service Corps and establishing Healthy Communities Access Program (see H.R. 3038), H8081 [9SE]

Members of Congress: modify law providing a permanent appropriation for compensation (see H.R. 1881), H3570 [30AP]

Pensions: exclude the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund from the Federal budget (see H.R. 2323), H4976 [4JN]

Radio: ensure the availability of spectrum to amateur radio operators (see H.R. 713), H459 [12FE]

Taxation: allow designation of income tax refunds for use in NIH biomedical research programs (see H.R. 1352), H2131 [19MR]

———allow tax credit to businesses who employ members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve (see H.R. 349), H169 (see H.R. 350), H170 [27JA]

———allow taxpayers to designate income tax refunds for use in medical research conducted through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (see H.R. 1087), H1640 [5MR]

———employer credit for the hiring of displaced homemakers (see H.R. 544), H318 [5FE]

Veterans: continuation of dependency and indemnity compensation for the surviving spouse of a veteran if such spouse remarries after a certain age (see H.R. 36), H53 [7JA]

———improve benefits for former POWs (see H.R. 348), H169 [27JA]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (see H.R. 303), H137 [8JA]

Remarks

American Vitiligo Research Foundation: tribute, E2256 [6NO]

Armenia: anniversary of genocide, H3022 [9AP]

Birth Defects Prevention Act: revise and extend (S. 286), H11577, H11578, H11579 [19NO]

Budget: setting forth the Federal budget for 2003-2013 (H. Con. Res. 95), H2258 [20MR]

Columbia (space shuttle): tribute to crew (H. Res. 51), H298 [5FE]

Cyprus: anniversary of Turkish occupation, E1597 [25JY]

———express support for a peaceful, just, and lasting settlement relative to Turkish occupation (H. Res. 165), H3011 [9AP]

———independence anniversary, E1938 [1OC]

———membership in European Union, E1597 [25JY]

———U.N. peace talks on Turkish occupation, H1782 [12MR]

Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities and prescribing personnel strengths (H.R. 1588), conference report, H11000 [7NO]

Dept. of HHS: promulgate regulations for the reimportation of prescription drugs (H.R. 2427), H7598 [24JY]

FCC: impact of local telephone exchange carriers' network unbundling regulations on the telecommunications industry, E920 [9MY]

———release of triennial review rulemaking on local phone competition and broadband deployment, E920 [9MY]

FDA: provide authority to require certain research into drugs used in pediatric patients (S. 650), H11567, H11569 [19NO]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: regulate noncorrective contact lenses as medical devices (H.R. 2218), H11565 [19NO]

Greece: recognize and appreciate significance, heroism, and sacrifice of the people of Crete during World War II, H9970 [28OC]

Greek Independence Day—A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy: observance, H2295 [25MR]

Hazardous substances: provide assistance for poison prevention and stabilize funding of regional poison control centers (S. 686), H11574, H11575 [19NO]

Health: improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (H.R. 663), H1766, H1771 [12MR]

———promote organ donation (H.R. 399), H1764 [12MR]

———reduce the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system (H.R. 5), H1849 [13MR]

Lee, Eric: Dept. of State Fulbright Award recipient, E1485 [15JY]

Medicare: enhance beneficiary access to quality health care services in rural areas, H9063, H9066 [1OC]

———improve reimbursement payments to physicians, H11847, H11848, H11850, H11852, H11853 [20NO]

———privatization, H9781, H9782, H9783 [21OC], H10443 [5NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), H6093 [26JN]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), conference report, H12261 [21NO]

———reform and provide prescription drug coverage (H.R. 1), motion to instruct conferees, H9063, H9065, H9066 [1OC], H9781, H9782, H9783 [21OC], H10441, H10443 [5NO], H11847, H11848, H11850, H11852, H11853 [20NO]

National Epilepsy Awareness Month: support goals and ideals and urge funding for epilepsy research and service programs (S. Con. Res. 48), H11580, H11581 [19NO]

National Former POW Recognition Day: observance, E745 [11AP]

National Organization for Rare Disorders: anniversary (H. Con. Res. 147), H4215, H4216 [19MY]

National security: enhance research, development, procurement, and use of biomedical countermeasures to respond to public health threats (H.R. 2122), H6930 [16JY]

Operation Brave Kids (organization): tribute, E601 [27MR]

Orphan Drug Act: anniversary (H. Con. Res. 147), H4215, H4216 [19MY]

Public welfare programs: abstinence-only sex education programs funding, H485 [13FE]

———reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (H.R. 4), H485 [13FE]

Science: recognize the sequencing of the human genome as one of the most significant accomplishments of the past century and support goals and ideals of Human Genome Month and DNA Day (H. Con. Res. 110), H5116 [10JN]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (football team): tribute (H. Res. 31), H224 [29JA]

Toth, Nick: National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship recipient, E1430 [9JY]

Veterans: benefits funding, H2258 [20MR]

———continuation of dependency and indemnity compensation for the surviving spouse of a veteran if such spouse remarries after a certain age, H11722 [20NO]

———modify and improve certain benefits (H.R. 2297), H9310 [8OC]

———modify and improve certain benefits (H.R. 2297), Senate amendment, H11722 [20NO]

Votes: position on missed, H4564 [22MY], H7811 [3SE]

Remarks in House relative to

Leave of absence: granted, H2398 [26MR]

Special order: granted, H1808 [12MR], H1950 [18MR], H7084 [17JY], H9806 [21OC]

Tributes

Agarwal, Shelly, E1533 [18JY]

Allen, Larry, E1564 [23JY]

Cramer, William C., E2211 [4NO]

D'Oliveira, Louise R., E1723 [5SE]

Eckerd, Jack, E717 [10AP]

Graziul, Stanley, E1741 [9SE]

Hitchcock, Wayne and Jo, E1965 [2OC]

Lewis, Tom, E1752 [10SE]

Miller, Clair, E973 [15MY]

Parke, Roy, Jr., E2475 [8DE]

Radtke, LeRoy, Jr., E1412 [8JY]

Redman, Jim, E1452 [11JY]

Wilson, Warren, E1715 [5SE]