Michael Bilirakis

Republican Representative of Florida's 9th district

http://house.gov/bilirakis

Congresses Served

House Terms

July 16, 1930 (94 years old)

Birthday

Served as a U.S. Representative for 24 years, from 1983 to 2007
Born to Greek immigrant parents and spent childhood in Pennsylvania
Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law
Served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War era, achieving the rank of staff sergeant
Entered politics by winning a seat in the newly created 9th District in 1982
Was reelected 10 more times, often with a significant majority, and ran unopposed in several elections
Held committee assignments on the Energy and Commerce Committee and was vice chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Played a key role in the enactment of several health and public service acts, including the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act and the Nurse Reinvestment Act of 2002
Retired in 2006, succeeded by his son, Gus Bilirakis
Was considered for a U.S. Senate position by Governor Crist in 2009 after Mel Martínez’s resignation