BILIRAKIS, GUS M. (a Representative from Florida)
Amendments
Coast Guard: authorizing appropriations (H.R. 2830), H2719 [24AP]
Bills and resolutions cosponsored
Abbas, Mahmoud: urge Palestinian Authority President to abrogate anti-Israel articles in the Fatah Constitution (see H. Res. 758), H7309 [29JY]
Abortion: ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion (see H.R. 5032), H7165 [24JY]
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. 32), H1342 [5MR]
American Institute in Taiwan: require Senate confirmation of director (see H.R. 1390), H1539 [11MR]
American Red Cross: commend emergency communications services provided to military servicemembers and their families (see H. Res. 937), H2948 [30AP]
Appropriations: making emergency supplemental appropriations for war on terror, international affairs, and national defense matters (see H.R. 6026), H4833 [22MY]
Armed Forces: authorize extended benefits for autistic dependents of certain retirees (see H.R. 6930), H8396 [17SE]
———ensure fair treatment of members discharged early due to being the only surviving child in a family in which an immediate family member was killed, MIA, or disabled in the line of duty (see H.R. 5825), H2442 [16AP]
———ensure that Reserve members who have served on active duty or performed certain active service receive credit in determining eligibility for early receipt of non-regular service retired pay (see H.R. 4930), H2225 [10AP]
———establish a program of educational assistance for members who have served after September 11, 2001 (see H.R. 5740), H2150 [9AP]
———guarantee a pay increase for members that exceeds the Employment Cost Index (see H.R. 5987), H3185 [7MY]
———mint coins in commemoration of the establishment of the U.S. Army and direct proceeds from sales of such coins to the establishment of the National Museum of the U.S. Army (see H.R. 5714), H10132 [26SE]
———retain certain active members otherwise retired or separated for a combat-related disability, but still medically able to perform noncombat-related specialties or duties (see H.R. 5868), H2854 [29AP]
Armed Forces Day: observance (see H. Res. 1122), H2761 [24AP]
Army: expand retroactive eligibility of the Army Combat Action Badge to include members who participated in combat during which they engaged the enemy on or after December 7, 1941 (see H.R. 2267), H2760 [24AP]
———tribute to 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), known as the Screaming Eagles (see H. Res. 1080), H2011 [3AP]
Army SPC Daniel Agami Post Office Building, Coconut Creek, FL: designate (see H.R. 6338), H5796 [20JN]
Asociacion Mutual Israelita Argentina: anniversary of bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina (see H. Con. Res. 385), H6176 [26JN]
Belarus Democracy Act: reauthorize (see H.R. 5970), H4975 [4JN]
Border Patrol: request congressional pardon for agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose A. Compean (see H.R. 563), H7307 [29JY]
Boy Scouts: mint coins in commemoration of centennial of establishment (see H.R. 5872), H2552 [22AP]
Brooke, Edward W., III: award Congressional Gold Medal (see H.R. 1000), H456 [23JA]
Bruce W. Carter Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL: designate (see H.R. 4918), H5482 [17JN]
Business and industry: ensure that an employer may require employees to speak English while engaged in work (see H.R. 4464), H4454 [21MY]
———establish congressional review of Presidential decisions on ITC recommendations for relief for businesses jeopardized by a surge of Chinese imports (see H.R. 5960), H3778 [13MY]
CeeCee Ross Lyles Post Office Building, Fort Pierce, FL: designate (see H.R. 6772), H7854 [8SE]
Cody Grater Post Office Building, Brooksville, FL: designate (see H.R. 5168), H555 [29JA]
Congress: condition adjournment on enactment of comprehensive energy legislation (see H. Con. Res. 417), H8275 [16SE]
Courts: 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. 2183), H1221 [4MR]
Crime: provide penalties for the destruction of memorials, headstones, markers, and graves commemorating persons serving in the Armed Forces on private property (see H.R. 5131), H1155 [27FE]
Cuba: anniversary of downing of civilian aircraft by Cuban fighter jets (see H. Res. 995), H1184 [28FE]
Declaration of Independence: anniversary (see H. Con. Res. 386), H6577 [15JY]
Dept. of Commerce: use all reasonable measures to ensure that every person is counted in the 2010 decennial census (see H. Res. 1262), H5328 [11JN]
Dept. of Homeland Security: improve financial assistance provided to State, local, and tribal governments for information sharing activities (see H.R. 6098), H4878 [3JN]
———require construction of fencing and security improvements in the border area from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico (see H.R. 4987), H390 [22JA]
———tribute to employees, partners at all levels of government, and other emergency response providers for efforts and contributions to protect and secure the Nation (see H. Res. 1429), H10133 [26SE]
Dept. of Justice: extend authorization of the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Program (see H.R. 6045), H3776 [13MY]
Dept. of the Interior: establish an environmentally sound oil and gas leasing program for exploration, development, and production of resources of the Coastal Plain of Alaska (see H.R. 6107), H6825 [22JY]
Dept. of the Treasury: require congressional approval for certain expenditures for the Troubled Asset Relief Program intended to bailout financial institutions (see H.R. 7276), H10856 [20NO]
Dept. of Veterans Affairs: establish a presumption of service connection of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (see H.R. 5454), H4454 [21MY]
———improve energy and water efficiencies and conservation (see H.R. 6937), H8475 [18SE]
———provide a temporary increase in the maximum loan guaranty amount for guaranteed housing loans (see H.R. 5561, 5561), H1539 [11MR]
———provide dental care to veterans with service-connected disabilities (see H.R. 5595), H2554 [22AP]
Diseases: provide for arthritis research and public health (see H.R. 1283), H8276 [16SE]
District of Columbia: restore right to keep and bear arms (see H.R. 6691), H8276 [16SE]
Education: recognize roles and contributions of teachers to building and enhancing civic, cultural, and economic well being (see H. Res. 1130), H2855 [29AP]
Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act: establish a procedure for authorizing certain acquisitions of foreign intelligence (see H.R. 5440), H1772 [14MR]
FTC: explicitly prohibit the sending of text messages containing an unsolicited advertisement to a cellular telephone number listed on the ``do-not-call'' registry (see H.R. 5769), H2223 [10AP]
Greek Independence Day—A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy: designate (see H. Res. 1024), H1417 [6MR]
Heston, Charlton: tribute (see H. Res. 1091), H2225 [10AP]
History: mint coins in commemoration of the bicentennial of the writing of the ``Star Spangled Banner'' and the War of 1812 (see H.R. 2894), H1445 [10MR]
House of Representatives: establish the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (see H. Res. 1451), H8478 [18SE]
Investments: provide for the penalty-free use of retirement funds for mortgage delinquency relief (see H.R. 4627), H350 [17JA]
Iran: respond to threat posed to international peace, stability in the Middle East, and the vital national security interests of the U.S. by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons and regional hegemony (see H. Con. Res. 362), H5215 [10JN]
Israel: recognize independence anniversary and reaffirm bonds of close friendship and cooperation with the U.S. (see H. Con. Res. 322), H2356 [15AP]
Law enforcement: reform the ATF, modernize firearms laws and regulations, and protect the community from criminals (see H.R. 4900), H3050 [5MY]
Lincoln, Abraham: observe anniversary of birth and recognize the role the Declaration of Independence played in belief development (see H. Con. Res. 281), H814 [7FE]
Medicaid: extend certain moratoria and impose additional moratoria on certain regulations (see H.R. 5613), H2267 [14AP]
Medicare: delay and reform the competitive acquisition program for purchase of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (see H.R. 6252), H5865 [23JN]
———delay phase out of the hospice budget neutrality adjustment factor (see H.R. 6873), H8276 [16SE]
Military Officers Association of America: grant Federal charter (see H.R. 5854), H3187 [7MY]
National Carriage Driving Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1128), H3187 [7MY]
National Heat Stroke Awareness Month: designate (see H. Con. Res. 296), H3404 [8MY]
National Preparedness Month: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1429), H10133 [26SE]
National Salute to Hospitalized Veterans Week: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 963), H872 [12FE]
NATO: congratulate Albania and Croatia on being invited to begin accession talks and express support for continuing to enlarge the alliance (see H. Res. 1266), H5483 [17JN]
———support Membership Action Plan with Georgia and Ukraine (see H. Res. 997), H1342 [5MR]
Nevada: tribute to Army and Air National Guard (see H. Con. Res. 358), H5111 [9JN]
Olympic games: prohibit Federal officials and employees from attending the 2008 Summer Games opening ceremonies due to human rights violations by and certain international policies of China (see H.R. 5668), H2225 [10AP]
Palestinians: condemn ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians (see H. Res. 951), H1222 [4MR]
———condemn use of television programming by Hamas to indoctrinate hatred, violence, and anti-Semitism toward Israel in young Palestinian children (see H. Res. 1069), H6230 [8JY]
Palladio, Andrea: anniversary of birth (see H. Con. Res. 407), H8579 [22SE]
Paul, Alice: award Congressional Gold Medal posthumously (see H.R. 406), H2443 [16AP]
Pepper, Claude: tribute (see H. Res. 1116), H2443 [16AP]
Pope Benedict XVI: U.S. visit (see H. Res. 838), H1342 [5MR]
Postal Service: modify procedures for closure or consolidation of post offices (see H.R. 6217), H6577 [15JY]
Public lands: protect right of individuals to carry firearms in units of the National Park System and National Wildlife Refuges and require hunting activities be a land use in all management plans (see H.R. 5646), H7956 [9SE]
Public welfare programs: allow funds provided to States under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program to be used for alternative-to-abortion services (see H.R. 4852), H350 [17JA]
Rivers: provide for a National Research Council study to asssess water management, needs, and conservation of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint Rivers in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama (see H.R. 6294), H6343 [9JY]
Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission: establish (see H.R. 5235), H6342 [9JY]
Roosevelt, Theodore: tribute (see H. Res. 1352), H8397 [17SE]
Senior citizens: encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the U.S. (see H.R. 6064), H7165 [24JY]
———ensure adequate public-private infrastructure and resolve to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (see H.R. 1783), H4061 [15MY]
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. 368), H25 [15JA]
———extend funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (see H.R. 6788), H7806 [1AU]
Taxation: extend relief from the alternative minimum tax (see H.R. 5031), H348 [17JA]
———modify treatment of qualified restaurant property as 15-year property for purposes of the depreciation deduction (see H.R. 3622), H1342 [5MR]
———provide for the limited continuation of clean energy production incentives and incentives to improve energy efficiency (see H.R. 5984), H5797 [20JN]
———terminate Internal Revenue Code (see H.R. 510), H3186 [7MY]
———treatment of beer (see H.R. 1610), H2224 [10AP]
Telephones: restrict any State or local jurisdiction from imposing a new discriminatory tax on cell phone services, providers, or property (see H.R. 5793), H8477 [18SE]
Tourist trade: establish a nonprofit corporation to communicate U.S. entry policies and otherwise promote tourist, business, and scholarly travel to the U.S. (see H.R. 3232), H4975 [4JN]
Ukraine: anniversary of the Ukrainian famine-genocide of 1932-1933 (see H. Res. 1314), H6176 [26JN]
Veterans: honor sacrifices and contributions made by disabled American veterans (see H. Con. Res. 336), H2852 [29AP]
———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. 5826), H3050 [5MY]
Winston E. Arnow Federal Building, Pensacola, FL: designate (see H.R. 5676), H2487 [17AP]
Year of the American Veteran: support goals and ideals (see H. Res. 1098), H2224 [10AP]
Bills and resolutions introduced
Armed Forces: provide an additional increase in rates of military basic pay for members above the pay increase proposed by the Dept. of Defense (see H.R. 5481), H1031 [25FE]
———tribute to families of servicemembers (see H. Con. Res. 295), H942 [13FE]
Dept. of Justice: establish a State grant program to establish ``Silver Alert'' notification systems to locate missing individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related illnesses (see H.R. 5898), H2758 [24AP]
Middle East: condemn media broadcasts inciting violence against Americans and the U.S. and designate certain television channels and satellite providers as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (see H. Res. 1308), H6176 [26JN]
Taxation: allow a refundable credit for the purchase of a principal residence by certain current and former servicemembers (see H.R. 6181), H4974 [4JN]
Veterans: make technical correction in application of special rules relative to payment of combat-related special compensation to eligible retirees with service-connected disability benefits (see H.R. 7011), H9083 [23SE]
Remarks
Armed Forces: tribute to families of servicemembers (H. Con. Res. 295), H6424 [14JY]
Brumidi, Constantino: award Congressional Gold Medal (S. 254), H5160 [10JN]
China, People's Republic of: relations with Republic of China, E811
China, Republic of: elections (H. Con. Res. 278), H1232 [5MR]
———observance of National Day, E1972
Coast Guard: authorizing appropriations (H.R. 2830), H2719, H2720 [24AP]
Committee on the Library (Joint): obtain a statue of Constantino Brumidi for display in the Capital Visitor Center (H.R. 1313), H5160 [10JN]
Cyprus: anniversary of Turkish occupation, H6803 [22JY]
———U.S. policy, E2378
Dept. of Defense: authorizing appropriations for military activities, prescribing personnel strengths, and military construction (S. 3001), earmark declaration, E1917
Dept. of Homeland Security: conduct pilot program to deploy mobile biometric identification equipment on maritime vessels for immigration enforcement, H2719, H2720 [24AP]
———conduct pilot program to deploy mobile biometric identification equipment on maritime vessels for immigration enforcement (H.R. 2490), H7182 [29JY]
———develop a memorandum of understanding and clarify criteria for certification relative to advanced spectroscopic portal monitors (H.R. 5531), H7181 [29JY]
———develop policies, procedures, and programs for the Controlled Unclassified Information Framework relative to sharing of certain homeland security, terrorism, and weapons information (H.R. 6193), H7189 [29JY]
———develop strategy to prevent over-classification of homeland security information and promote the sharing of unclassified homeland security information (H.R. 4806), H7185 [29JY]
———enhance information security (H.R. 5983), H7179 [29JY]
———improve financial assistance provided to State, local, and tribal governments for information sharing activities (H.R. 6098), H7192 [29JY]
———make full and efficient use of open source information to develop and disseminate open source homeland security information products (H.R. 3815), H7190, H7191 [29JY]
———provide for a privacy official within each component of the Dept. (H.R. 5170), H7176 [29JY]
Dept. of Justice: authorize the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program (Byrne/JAG Grant Program) (H.R. 3546), H5807
Foley, Joan: Rotary International Paul Harris Award recipient, E1714
Foreign policy: build operational readiness in civilian agencies to carry out stabilization and reconstruction activities in countries or regions in transition from conflict or civil strife (H.R. 1084), H1229 [5MR]
Greek Independence Day—A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy: designate (H. Res. 1024), H1465 [11MR]
Kelm, Walter G.: Florida Governor's Points of Light Award recipient, E1545
Michael Bilirakis Dept. of Veterans Affairs Spinal Cord Injury Center, Tampa, FL: designate (H.R. 4264), H5971 [24JN]
Middle East: condemn media broadcasts inciting violence against Americans and the U.S. and designate certain television channels and satellite providers as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (H. Res. 1308), H7872 [9SE]
Musunuru, Rao: Florida Governor's Point of Light Award recipient, E1706
NATO: express strong support for invitations for membership to Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia (H. Res. 1070), E475
Palestinians: condemn ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians (H. Res. 951), H1235, H1237 [5MR]
———condemn use of television programming by Hamas to indoctrinate hatred, violence, and anti-Semitism toward Israel in young Palestinian children (H. Res. 1069), H7872 [9SE]
Pasco County, FL: Pasco County Library System recipient of Florida Library Association Library of the Year award, E1202
Rodriguez, Juan A. (Chi-Chi): tribute (H. Res. 1029), H5435 [17JN]
Senior citizens: encourage, enhance, and integrate Silver Alert plans throughout the U.S. (H.R. 6064), H8080 [15SE]
Tebow, Timothy: tribute (H. Res. 901), H7266 [29JY]
Tzakis, Andreas G.: Pan-Hellenic Federation of Florida award recipient, E978
Votes: position on missed, E1114
Remarks in House relative to
Leave of absence: granted, H6224 [8JY]
Special order: granted, H3183 [7MY], H6822 [22JY]
Tributes
Curry, Clifton C., III, E512
Forbes, Garland, E328
Miller, Patrick J., E472
Parke, Robert E. (Roy), E1458
Rousakis, James, H6827 [23JY]