BILIRAKIS, MICHAEL (a Representative from Florida)

Appointments

Conferee: H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act, H5809 [14JY]

North Atlantic Assembly, H575 [10FE]

Bills and resolutions cosponsored

Agriculture: provide assistance to agricultural producers whose operations were severly damaged by hurricanes (see H.R. 4330), H11328 [8DE]

Air Force: tribute to members killed in 1996 terrorist bombing of the Khobar Towers U.S. military housing compound near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia (see H. Con. Res. 188), H5100 [23JN]

Animals: restore prohibition on commercial sale and slaughter of wild free-roaming horses and burros (see H.R. 297), H3695 [19MY]

Archbishop Iakovos: tribute (see H. Res. 325), H4655 [16JN]

Armed Forces: authorize members to assist the Dept. of Homeland Security in performance of border protection functions under certain circumstances (see H.R. 1986), H4356 [9JN]

———increase death gratuity (see H.R. 292), H197 [25JA]

———limit premium increases on reinstated health insurance on servicemembers who are released from active military service (see H.R. 2046), H3262 [12MY]

———reduce the age for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service (see H.R. 783), H583 [10FE]

———restore health care coverage to retired members of the uniformed services (see H.R. 602), H524 [9FE]

———revise age and service requirements for receipt of military retired pay for non-regular service and improve health care for reservists and their families by making TRICARE benefits permanent (see H.R. 558), H4356 [9JN]

Armenia: ensure U.S. foreign policy reflects understanding of issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in records relative to the Armenian Genocide (see H. Res. 316), H4486 [14JN]

Arthur Stacey Mastrapa Post Office Building, Altamonte Springs, FL: designate (see H.R. 324), H194 [25JA]

Brumidi, Constantino: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 3138), H5599 [30JN]

———tribute (see H. Con. Res. 91), H4356 [9JN]

Budget: constitutional amendment to require balanced (see H.J. Res. 58), H5801 [13JY]

Capitol Building and Grounds: permit use of rotunda for a ceremony to honor Constantino Brumidi (see H. Con. Res. 202), H5603 [30JN]

Capitol Police: increase the mandatory retirement age (see H.R. 1335), H3436 [17MY]

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: extend compliance threshold used to determine eligibility of hospitals for designation as an inpatient rehabilitation facility (see H.R. 3373), H9472 [1NO]

———tribute for demonstration project to assess quality of care of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (see H. Res. 261), H2978 [4MY]

Chen Shui-bian: U.S. visit (see H. Con. Res. 237), H7950 [14SE]

Children and youth: revise the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration program (see H.R. 1505), H2473 [21AP]

China, Republic of: oppose proposed People's Republic of China anti-secession law (see H. Con. Res. 70), H3057 [5MY]

———oppose proposed People's Republic of China anti-secession law and reaffirm U.S. commitment (see H. Con. Res. 76), H3199 [11MY]

Citizenship: restrict citizenship of individuals based solely on birth in the U.S. (see H.R. 698), H1896 [12AP]

Clean Air Act: authorize critical use exemption amounts for methyl bromide as identified by the Dept. of State (see H.R. 1257), H1510 [15MR]

Computers: protect Internet users from unknowing transmission of their personally identifiable information through spyware programs (see H.R. 29), H72 [4JA]

Courts: clarify jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance (see H.R. 2389), H3434 [17MY]

———provide protections of habeas corpus for certain incapacitated individuals whose life is in jeopardy (see H.R. 1151), H1023 [8MR]

Crime: strengthen prohibitions against animal fighting (see H.R. 817), H5603 [30JN]

Croatia: recommend integration into NATO (see H. Res. 529), H11328 [8DE]

Cyprus: support removal of Turkish occupation troops (see H. Res. 603), H11654 [14DE]

Dept. of Energy: make incentive payments to the owners or operators of qualified desalination facilities to partially offset the cost of electrical energy required to operate such facilities (see H.R. 1071), H11880 [15DE]

Dept. of HHS: establish programs to address the shortage of medical laboratory personnel (see H.R. 1175), H1024 [8MR]

Dept. of State: eliminate the diversity immigrant program (see H.R. 1219), H1780 [5AP]

Dept. of the Interior: prohibit oil and gas leasing activities on certain portions of the Outer Continental Shelf (see H.R. 3251), H5740 [12JY]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: award a percentage of procurement contracts to small business concerns owned by veterans (see H.R. 3082), H5361 [28JN]

———establish an Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events (see H.R. 4339), H10501 [16NO]

———provide Chief Information Officer authority over resources, budget, and personnel related to the support function of information technology (see H.R. 4061), H8846 [17OC]

———provide sufficient blind rehabilitation outpatient specialists at medical facilities (see H.R. 3579), H8089 [15SE]

———repeal the offset from surviving spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid as dependency and indemnity compensation (see H.R. 808), H1847 [6AP]

Diseases: support bone marrow failure disease research (see H. Con. Res. 179), H4655 [16JN]

District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (see H.R. 1288), H4356 [9JN]

Drugs: establish electronic systems in each State for practitioner monitoring of the dispensing of certain controlled substances (see H.R. 1132), H4896 [21JN]

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), H1847 [6AP]

European Court of Human Rights: support decisions in certain cases holding Turkey responsible for human rights violations in Cyprus (see H. Res. 322), H4561 [15JN]

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: regulate noncorrective contact lenses as medical devices (see H.R. 371), H3055 [5MY]

FEMA: provide certain individuals or households affected by Hurricane Katrina in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, FL, with financial assistance and direct services under the Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act (see H.R. 3723), H7814 [8SE]

Financial institutions: enhance ability of community banks to foster economic growth and serve their communities (see H.R. 2061), H6652 [26JY]

———prohibit financial holding companies and national banks from engaging, directly or indirectly, in real estate brokerage or real estate management activities (see H.R. 111), H4356 [9JN]

Firearms: permit States to provide reciprocal treatment for carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents (see H.R. 1243), H2103 [14AP]

———prohibit lawsuits against weapons manufacturers, distributors, dealers, or importers (see H.R. 800), H1896 [12AP]

———protect and enforce the right to obtain and use firearms for security, self-defense, and other legitimate purposes (see H.R. 47), H286 [1FE]

Flag—U.S.: constitutional amendment to prohibit desecration (see H.J. Res. 10), H1780 [5AP]

Foreign aid: prohibit U.S. assistance to develop any rail connections or railway-related connections through certain cities in Azerbaijan, Republic of Georgia, and Turkey that exclude cities in Armenia (see H.R. 3361), H7566 [28JY]

Gold Star Mothers Day: support goals and ideals (see H.J. Res. 61), H8163 [20SE]

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. 290), H3694 [19MY]

GSA: provide a site for construction of a national health museum (see H.R. 3630), H9696 [4NO]

Hazardous substances: require engine coolant and antifreeze to contain a bittering agent so as to render it unpalatable (see H.R. 2567), H4561 [15JN]

Hire a Veteran Week: designate (see H. Con. Res. 125), H5604 [30JN]

House Democracy Assistance Commission: establish (see H. Res. 135), H984 [3MR]

Housing: modernize the manufactured housing loan insurance program (see H.R. 2803), H8089 [15SE]

Immigration: enforce employment restrictions on unauthorized aliens through the use of improved Social Security cards and an Employment Eligibility Database (see H.R. 98), H197 [25JA]

———enhance Federal, State, and local enforcement of immigration laws (see H.R. 3137), H7815 [8SE]

———prohibit Federal agencies from accepting foreign-issued identification other than passports (see H.R. 925), H2103 [14AP]

———provide for true enforcement and border security (see H.R. 4313), H10161 [14NO]

———require employers to conduct employment eligibility verification (see H.R. 19), H286 [1FE]

Insurance: establish a Federal program to provide reinsurance to improve the availability of homeowners' insurance (see H.R. 846), H718 [16FE]

———provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce (see H.R. 2355), H4487 [14JN]

Interstate commerce: prohibit transport of horses for the purpose of slaughter or horse flesh for human consumption (see H.R. 503), H524 [9FE]

Iran: hold current regime accountable for its threatening behavior and support a transition to democracy (see H.R. 282), H3055 [5MY]

Klebnikov, Paul: condemn murder of U.S. journalist in Russia and the murder of other members of the media (see H. Res. 499), H11111 [6DE]

Korean War Veterans Association, Inc.: grant Federal charter (see H.R. 3476), H10502 [16NO]

Labor unions: protect the free choice of individual employees relative to participation in labor organizations (see H.R. 500), H4296 [8JN]

Languages: repeal Executive order on providing access to Federal programs and activities for persons with limited English proficiency (see H.R. 136), H584 [10FE]

Law enforcement: provide grants for prosecutions of cases cleared through use of DNA backlog clearance funds (see H.R. 1602), H7861 [13SE]

Little Rock, AR: mint coins in commemoration of the anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School (see H.R. 358), H942 [2MR]

Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act: clarify exemption for recreational vessel support employees (see H.R. 940), H2880 [3MY]

Macedonia: cease distribution of negative and nationalist propaganda and encourage continued negotiations with the U.N. and Greece to determine a mutually acceptable official name (see H. Res. 521), H9362 [27OC]

———encourage continued negotiations with Greece to determine a mutually acceptable official name (see H. Con. Res. 306), H10909 [17NO]

Masonic Order (fraternal organization): tribute (see H. Res. 17), H4297 [8JN]

Medicaid: include podiatrists as physicians for purposes of covering physicians services (see H.R. 699), H5914 [14JY]

———require drug utilization review programs to deny coverage of erectile dysfunction drugs for individuals registered (or required to be registered) as sex offenders (see H.R. 2648), H4297 [8JN]

Medicare: coverage of screening ultrasound for abdominal aortic aneurysms (see H.R. 827), H5603 [30JN]

———establish a floor for physician payment rates (see H.R. 4078), H11036 [18NO]

———improve benefits for beneficiaries with kidney disease (see H.R. 1298), H5963 [18JY]

Mental health: prohibit use of Federal funds for any universal or mandatory mental health screening program (see H.R. 181), H3262 [12MY]

Motor vehicles: protect the rights of consumers to diagnose, service, and repair their motor vehicles (see H.R. 2048), H8163 [20SE]

National Advisory Council on Medical Rehabilitation: establish (see H.R. 3373), H9472 [1NO]

National Brain Injury Awareness Month: support (see H. Con. Res. 99), H1509 [15MR]

National Campus Safety Awareness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 15), H7950 [14SE]

National Health Center Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 289), H3694 [19MY]

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: expand, intensify, and coordinate pulmonary hypertension research activities (see H.R. 3005), H6381 [22JY]

National Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Con. Res. 178), H4486 [14JN]

National Labor Relations Act: protect employer rights (see H.R. 1816), H5741 [12JY]

National Military Families Week: designate (see H. Con. Res. 159), H4188 [7JN]

National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (see H.R. 418), H235 [26JA]

NIH: conduct and support research for the derivation and use of human pluripotent stem cells by means that will not create or harm human embryos (see H.R. 3144), H5600 [30JN]

———conduct and support research on animals to develop techniques for the derivation of stem cells from embryos that do not harm the embryos (see H.R. 2574), H4144 [26MY]

Parks, Rosa: issue commemorative postage stamp (see H.R. 4343), H11220 [7DE]

Postal Service: reform postal laws (see H.R. 22), H3198 [11MY]

Public Health Service Act: provide liability protections for volunteer practitioners at health centers (see H.R. 1313), H1697 [17MR]

Public welfare programs: reauthorize and improve block grants to States for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (see H.R. 240), H136 [6JA]

Rotary International: anniversary (see H. Res. 55), H720 [16FE] (see H. Res. 142), H1024 [8MR]

Schneier, Arthur: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 4045), H8808 [7OC]

Science: prohibit the cloning of humans (see H.R. 1357), H1690 [17MR]

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance: enhance program (see H.R. 3200), H6107 [19JY]

Social Security: allow choice of benefit payment method relative to computation rule application to workers attaining age 65 in or after 1982 (see H.R. 615), H11327 [8DE]

———repeal Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions (see H.R. 147), H719 [16FE]

———repeal the windfall elimination provision and protect the retirement of public servants (see H.R. 1714), H2393 [20AP]

Space policy: mint coins in commemoration of the anniversaries of NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (see H.R. 68), H630 [15FE]

Staff Sergeant Michael Schafer Post Office Building, Spring Hill, FL: designate (see H.R. 3703), H7813 [8SE]

States: authorize organization and service of a militia to help prevent individuals from unlawfully crossing an international border and entering the U.S. anywhere other than a port of entry (see H.R. 3622), H7950 [14SE]

———require certain policies and procedures regarding purchase or acquisition of library and classroom-based reference, instructional, and other print materials for use in elementary schools (see H.R. 2295), H4985 [22JN]

Taxation: 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. 994), H2150 [19AP]

———allow victims of Presidentially-declared disasters to withdraw funds from retirement plans without penalty (see H.R. 3742), H7860 [13SE]

———applicability of volume cap for private activity bonds to bonds for facilities for the furnishing of water and sewage facilities (see H.R. 1708), H4297 [8JN]

———exclude from gross income certain hazard mitigation assistance (see H.R. 380), H233 [26JA]

———make permanent the deduction of State and local general sales taxes in lieu of State and local income taxes (see H.R. 519), H6651 [26JY]

———permit military death gratuities to be contributed to certain tax-favored accounts (see H.R. 3478), H10502 [16NO]

———permit tax-free distribution from governmental retirement plans for payment of health and long-term care insurance premiums for public safety officers (see H.R. 2177), H8513 [28SE]

———provide emergency tax relief for victims of Hurricane Wilma (see H.R. 4334), H10226 [15NO]

———provide for the proper tax treatment of certain disaster mitigation payments (see H.R. 1134), H988 [7MR]

———provide that distributions from certain retirement plans are not included in gross income if used to pay long-term care insurance premiums (see H.R. 976), H1025 [8MR]

———reduce estate and gift tax rates, increase exclusion equivalent and establish inflation adjustment for the unified credit, and increase gift tax exclusion (see H.R. 1568), H2151 [19AP]

———repeal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes (see H.R. 64), H196 [25JA]

———repeal excise tax on telephone use and other communications services (see H.R. 1898), H2739 [28AP]

———repeal income tax, abolish the IRS, and institute a national retail sales tax (see H.R. 25), H196 [25JA]

———treatment of beer (see H.R. 1306), H8919 [18OC]

Telecommunications: increase penalties for violations by television and radio broadcasters of the prohibitions against transmission of obscene, indecent, and profane material (see H.R. 310), H524 [9FE]

Turkey: allow certain claims of U.S. nationals against Turkey (see H.R. 857), H718 [16FE]

———reject claim of sovereignty over islands and islets in the Aegean Sea (see H. Con. Res. 137), H2471 [21AP]

———urge compliance with all European Union standards and criteria prior to its accession (see H. Res. 411), H7562 [28JY]

———urge respect for the rights and religious freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarch (see H. Res. 166), H1622 [16MR]

U.S. Cleveland Post Office Building, Punta Gorda, FL: designate (see H.R. 3830), H8161 [20SE]

Ukraine: normal trade relations status (see H.R. 885), H8089 [15SE]

VA: anniversary (see H. Res. 361), H5916 [14JY]

Veterans: change effective date for paid-up coverage under the Survivor Benefit Plan (see H.R. 968), H795 [17FE]

———improve compensation benefits for veterans in certain cases of impairment of vision involving both eyes (see H.R. 2963), H7613 [29JY]

———increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (see H.R. 1220), H1780 [5AP]

———mint coins in commemoration of veterans who became disabled for life while serving in the Armed Forces (see H.R. 1951), H4401 [13JN]

Vietnam Veterans Memorial: study eligibility requirements for inclusion of veterans' names and alternative means to honor ineligible veterans (see H.R. 156), H524 [9FE]

White House Fellows Program: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 269), H9043 [20OC]

Bills and resolutions introduced

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: conduct demonstration project to improve Veterans Health Administration business practices (see H.R. 2988), H4801 [20JN]

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. 1554), H1894 [12AP]

EPA: provide additional authority to the Office of Ombudsman (see H.R. 1043), H940 [2MR]

Health: improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (see H.R. 3205), H5739 [12JY]

———recognize importance of sun safety (see H. Res. 169), H1695 [17MR]

Members of Congress: modify law providing a permanent appropriation for compensation (see H.R. 806), H628 [15FE]

Pensions: exclude the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund from the Federal budget (see H.R. 692), H521 [9FE]

Radio: ensure the availability of spectrum to amateur radio operators (see H.R. 691), H521 [9FE]

Taxation: allow designation of income tax refunds for use in NIH biomedical research programs (see H.R. 370), H233 [26JA]

———allow tax credit to businesses who employ members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve for compensation paid during active military duty (see H.R. 446), H283 [1FE]

———allow tax credit to businesses who employ members of the National Guard or Ready Reserve for the value of service not performed during active military duty (see H.R. 443), H283 [1FE]

———allow taxpayers to designate income tax refunds for use in medical research conducted through the Dept. of Veterans Affairs (see H.R. 1005), H846 [1MR]

———employer credit for the hiring of displaced homemakers (see H.R. 263), H137 [6JA]

Telephones: facilitate nationwide availability of 2-1-1 telephone service for information and referral on health and human services (see H.R. 896), H792 [17FE]

Textile industry and fabrics: require proper and accurate labeling for products identified, described, or sold as ``chamois'' (see H.R. 3902), H8386 [27SE]

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. 1462), H1777 [5AP]

———expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits (see H.R. 1366), H1691 [17MR]

———expand eligibility for concurrent receipt of military retired pay or combat-related compensation with service-connected disability benefits and eliminate phase-in period for such benefits (see H.R. 303), H193 [25JA]

———improve benefits for former POW (see H.R. 1598), H1968 [13AP]

———permit concurrent receipt of military retired pay with service-connected disability benefits (see H.R. 2076), H2976 [4MY]

Remarks

Armenia: declaration of genocide, E500 [17MR]

Bakoyannis, Dora: City Mayors (Internet site) World Mayor Award recipient, E2546 [15DE]

Capitol Building and Grounds: permit use of rotunda for a ceremony to honor Constantino Brumidi (H. Con. Res. 202), H6116 [20JY]

Cyprus: anniversary of Turkish occupation, E1549 [20JY]

———Turkish occupation settlement plan, E1549 [20JY]

Dept. of HHS: community health centers funding, H5060 [23JN]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: conduct demonstration project to improve Veterans Health Administration business practices, H5754 [13JY]

Depts. of Labor, HHS, and Education, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3010), H5060 [23JN]

Greece: observance of Oxi Day, E2221 [28OC]

Greek Independence Day—A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy: observance, H1750 [5AP]

Health: improve patient safety and reduce incidence of medical errors (S. 544), H6676 [27JY]

———national policy to promote women's heart health, E804 [27AP]

———recognize importance of sun safety (H. Res. 169), H4148, H4149 [7JN]

Military Officers Association of America: tribute to Tampa, FL, chapter's ``Operation Helping Hand'' program to assist families of wounded members of the Armed Forces, E1332, E1353 [24JN]

National security: improve security for driver's licenses and identity documents, amend immigration laws to prevent entry of terrorists, and ensure completion of certain border barriers (H.R. 418), H562 [10FE]

Outer Continental Shelf: cancel proposed comprehensive seismic survey inventory of all areas, H6954 [28JY]

Power resources: enhance energy conservation, research, and development and provide for security and diversity in the energy supply (H.R. 6), conference report, H6954 [28JY]

Smith, Paul R.: posthumous awarding of Medal of Honor, E610 [12AP]

Veterans: increase rates of disability compensation for veterans with service-connected disabilities and dependency and indemnity compensation for survivors of certain disabled veterans (H.R. 1220), H5754 [13JY]

Votes: position on missed, H171, H172 [25JA], H5156 [24JN], H7659, H7660 [6SE]

World War II: anniversary of the Battle of Crete, E1047 [20MY]

Remarks in House relative to

Leave of absence: granted, H280 [1FE], H5175 [24JN]

Special order: granted, H1774 [5AP], H3311 [16MY], H4294 [8JN], H5798 [13JY]

Tributes

Archbishop Iakovos, E774 [26AP]

Burnside, Julian, E724 [21AP]

Fowler, Tillie K., H1016 [8MR]

Gergiannakis, Anthony, E21 [4JA]

Haynes, Lewis L., H4276 [8JN]

Long, John, E2203 [27OC]

Phillips, James, E22 [4JA]

Tompkins, Chris, E866 [4MY]

Vondersaar, Tatiana Horunowycz, E2522 [14DE]