5 Questions With...
Congressman Gus Bilirakis By Amy Schoppman NMEDA DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Representative Gus Bilirakis first entered Congress in 2007 when he succeeded his father in representing Florida’s 9th (now 12th) congressional district, which covers the northern portion of the Tampa Bay area and includes NMEDA’s headquarters. In addition to geographical proximity, our offices share two major public policy concerns: veterans and accessible transportation. A longtime member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Bilirakis has worked to improve claims processing and benefits for combat-disabled servicemembers, most recently introducing bipartisan legislation—the Major Richard Star Act—with NMEDA friend and supporter Congressman Raul Ruiz. A concurrent member of the powerful House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Congressman was also an early advocate of ensuring that autonomous vehicles are developed with seniors and people with disabilities in mind. Upon introducing the Addressing Community Challenges from Emerging Self-Driving Systems (ACCESS) Act—legislation requiring the Department of Transportation to establish an advisory council on developing autonomous vehicle technology to specifically meet the needs of seniors and disabled individuals—he stated: “Simple things most of us take for granted, such as getting to work, going to the doctor, a trip to the grocery store, or traveling across town to visit family, can be difficult undertakings for some. Self-driving cars could put seniors and those with disabilities back in the driver’s seat of their lives, providing them with greater independence and mobility.” Read on to learn more about Congressman Gus Bilirakis in this edition of “5 Questions With…”
1. What inspired you to run for public office?
2. What skill(s) do you utilize most frequently on Capitol Hill?
3. What is your favorite aspect of Florida’s 12th congressional district?
I was inspired to run for public
Relationship building is the single
My favorite aspect of Florida’s 12th
office while watching my father
most important skill I utilize on
is the people I serve. The area has
proudly represent Florida’s Ninth
Capitol Hill. Treating everyone I
grown tremendously over the course
Congressional District. Growing up,
encounter with dignity, respect and
of my lifetime, but that sense of
my father taught me the importance
compassion goes a very long way
community and connectedness is
of serving others, having pride in your
in both business and in life, and the
still there. The downtown Tarpon
family heritage, and the need to make
same applies in Congress. I try to
Springs area also holds a special
a positive impact in my community.
never burn bridges, to deliver on
place in my heart: as a kid, I grew
These are the values that drive me to
every promise I make, and to treat
up helping out in my grandparent’s
get up in the morning and continue
people as I would like to be treated.
bakery and playing with my friends
representing the people of District 12.
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NMEDA Circuit Breaker
on the Sponge Docks. The church I
