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
Bakoyannis, Dora: City Mayors (Internet site) World Mayor Award recipient, E2546
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
———Turkish occupation settlement plan, E1549
Dept. of HHS: community health centers funding, H5060 [23JN]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: conduct demonstration project to improve Veterans Health Administration business practices, H5754
Depts. of Labor, HHS, and Education, and related agencies: making appropriations (H.R. 3010), H5060 [23JN]
Greece: observance of Oxi Day, E2221
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
———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
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
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
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
Votes: position on missed, H171
World War II: anniversary of the Battle of Crete, E1047
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
Burnside, Julian, E724
Fowler, Tillie K., H1016
Gergiannakis, Anthony, E21
Haynes, Lewis L., H4276
Long, John, E2203
Phillips, James, E22
Tompkins, Chris, E866
Vondersaar, Tatiana Horunowycz, E2522