Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in favor of H.R. 6328, the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act, which passed the House by voice vote last month and was approved by the Senate with an amendment. According to estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in 2011 approximately 14 percent of all homeless adults were veterans, and with more than 67,000 veterans homeless on any given night. I know that you agree we must do all that we can to ensure that the veterans who have so courageously served our country are not forgotten and are receiving the care and services they deserve. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has set a laudable goal of ending veterans' homelessness by 2015 and has established partnerships with other Federal agencies, such as HUD, to accomplish it. The bill before us today will forge another important partnership in our efforts to serve homeless veterans, one with the Transportation Security Administration. Each day as Americans travel through screening checkpoints, Mr. Speaker, operated by TSA at our Nation's airports, many articles of clothing are left behind. In fact, TSA reports that they collect between 500 and 1,000 garments per day. H.R. 6328 directs the TSA administrator to make every reasonable effort to donate this unclaimed clothing to local organizations that serve homeless or needy veterans. I commend the House sponsor, Ms. Hochul, the gentlelady from New York, for this fine piece of legislation. I once again urge Members to support this legislation and in turn support homeless veterans. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4057, the Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act, as amended by the Senate. I'm truly proud of my colleagues in both the House and the Senate for putting aside partisan differences and coming together to move this bill through both Chambers in the best interests of our true American heroes, our veterans. As more and more servicemembers are leaving Active Duty and use their post-9/11 GI benefits, there is an increased need for information to help them choose institutions of higher learning which maximize their benefits and best meet their future career demands. My bill, as amended, requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create a comprehensive policy, which includes informing veterans about their eligibility for educational counseling, creating a centralized complaint database on schools, requiring State-approving agencies to better communicate with accrediting agencies, establishing how information will be presented in the transition assistance program, and identifying commercially off-the-shelf available software to assist students in choosing a school and evaluating their readiness to attend postsecondary institutions. I want to express my sincere appreciation to my good friend, Chairman Jeff Miller, a fellow Floridian, and also the ranking member, Bob Filner, of course, Mr. Michaud, along with Senators Murray and Burr, for moving this legislation through both Chambers. I would like to thank also Representative Braley, the veterans service organizations, and higher education associations for providing feedback on ways to improve this bill and their continued support going forward. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of H.R. 4057.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Ranking Member, we'll continue to work on getting that bill passed. I promise you. That's my bill, and we worked very hard. As you said, it was marked up in committee, and we'll continue to advocate on behalf, of course, of the MMRS grant program. Mr. Speaker, I once again urge Members to support this very important bill that ensures medical preparedness activities remain an allowable use under Homeland Security Grant Programs. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H.R. 5997, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, a bipartisan bill which amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make it clear that grant funds under the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative may be used to enhance medical preparedness and purchase medical countermeasures. I introduced H.R. 5997 after a series of hearings on medical countermeasures in the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications. At these hearings, we received testimony from representatives of the emergency response community on the importance of stockpiling medical countermeasures in the event of a WMD attack. This includes pre- deployed medical kits for first responders and their families, similar to those provided to postal workers participating in the national U.S. Postal Medical Countermeasures Dispensing Pilot Program. The grant guidance for the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative currently permits this funding to be used to procure medical countermeasures and for other medical preparedness and medical surge capacity equipment and activities. However, this guidance is developed on an annual basis, and there is no guarantee that these uses will be authorized in the future. To be clear, this bill does not create a new grant program or authorize new funding. It simply ensures that these activities will remain allowable uses under SHSGP and UASI. As the WMD Commission noted in its report, Mr. Speaker, ``World at Risk,'' it is more likely than not that there will be a weapon of mass destruction used someplace on Earth by a terrorist group before the end of the year 2013, and it's more likely that this weapon will be biological, rather than nuclear. The expenditures authorized and codified by the bill we are considering today can make a difference in the protection of the public, including emergency responders, in the event of such an attack, and there should be no doubt that grant funding may be used to support them now and in the future. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, I consistently find myself in awe of our first responders and the sacrifices that they make on behalf of our public. In the wake of events such as Hurricane Sandy, I am committed to ensuring Congress does all that it can to support those brave men and women, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased that this legislation is supported by the Emergency Services Coalition on Medical Preparedness, which works to ensure that we protect the protectors. I reserve the balance of my time. Emergency Services Coalition for Medical Preparedness, Falls Church, VA, November 19, 2012. Hon. Gus Bilirakis, Chairman, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Chairman Bilirakis: The Emergency Services Coalition for Medical Preparedness is pleased to support H.R. 5997 and the proposed amendment of the Homeland Security Act of 2002. The need for home and workplaces of medical caches to protect the emergency services providers in the nation remains high. Recent reports for the congressionally-chartered WMD Commission emphasize the continuing threat posed by biological weapons. Ensuring a resilient emergency services sector is an imperative for a superior response, a major part of this planning is the provision of Medkits pre-event to these professionals. Emergency services professionals have unique roles, and are expected to serve and protect even in dangerous circumstances. Having responsible pre-event protections in place is necessary to ensure they can carry out this role. Individual physician-based prescription efforts have provided protection to hundreds of postal employees and federal employees, but not the millions of protectors and their families. Your bill addresses this gap. We look forward to working with you and your staff in the passage of the Bill. Thank you for your leadership and continuing support in ``protecting the protectors.'' Sincerely, Tim Stephens, Advisor.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5997) to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to codify authority under existing grant guidance authorizing use of Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for enhancing medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6328) to amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration) to transfer unclaimed clothing recovered at airport security checkpoints to local veterans organizations and other local charitable organizations, and for other purposes.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include any extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation and, in turn, support homeless veterans. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. If the gentlewoman from New York has no further speakers, I am prepared to close.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, as vice chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I rise in support of H.R. 6328, again, a bipartisan bill, a bill sponsored by my colleague, Ms. Hochul, the Clothe a Homeless Hero Act. According to estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, in 2011 approximately 14 percent of all homeless adults were veterans, with more than 67,000 veterans homeless on any given night--unacceptable. We must do all that we can to ensure that the veterans who have courageously served our country are not forgotten and are receiving the care and services they deserve. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki has set a laudable goal of ending veterans' homelessness by 2015 and has established partnerships with other Federal agencies, such as HUD, to accomplish it. The bill before us today will forge another important partnership in our efforts to serve homeless veterans, one with the Transportation Security Administration. Each day, as Americans travel through screening checkpoints operated by TSA at our Nation's airports, many articles of clothing are left behind. In fact, TSA reports that they collect between 500 and 1,000 garments per day. H.R. 6328 directs the TSA Administrator to make every reasonable effort to donate this unclaimed clothing to local organizations that serve homeless or needy veterans. I urge Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at noon tomorrow.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Walter Hilgart both for his service to our nation and for his continued service to the community. Growing up during the Great Depression in Wisconsin, Mr. Hilgart began his service career in the U.S. Army. By the end of World War II, he had flown 22 combat missions with the Army Air Forces. He then left the service but quickly enlisted again--this time with the U.S. Air Force. By the end of his service with the Air Force, he had risen to the top enlisted grade of chief master sergeant. Mr. Hilgart's service did not end there. As a retiree, he began substitute teaching in Pasco County, Florida. He is now a familiar face on Gulf High School's campus, even celebrating his 90th birthday in conjunction with the school's 90th birthday. During his time in the classroom, he encourages students to make the most of their education. Many students are so captivated by his life experiences that they work to quickly complete their assignments so there is time to hear his stories. Mr. Hilgart's dedication to country and community are truly inspiring. Throughout his life, he has selflessly demonstrated qualities of putting others before himself. His legacy will certainly live on through the many students he has inspired for years to come.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the Faklis family of Tarpon Springs, Florida, on the 100th anniversary of Faklis' Department Store and Shoe Repair Service. Throughout their many decades in the United States, the Faklis family has lived the American dream, applying hard work and determination to create a successful small business in our community. In 1909, two young brothers--Nikita and Nicola Papafaklis--arrived in America from Symi, Greece, in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Shortly thereafter, another brother, Vasile, arrived in America. Vasile and Nikita soon settled in Tarpon Springs and established their own small business. This small business opened as a custom shoe maker. The business evolved into a dry goods department store carrying shoes, clothing, suits and specializing in shoe repairs and orthopedic corrections. Vasile and his sons, George, Nick and Michael are proud American veterans, having served in WWI and Korea. They continue to be involved in the local American Legion and never open for business without first displaying the American flag in front of their building. Throughout the generations, the Faklis family's store evolved with the times and provided services with excellent professionalism. The family business has passed from Nikita and Vasile down to Vasile's sons George and Michael, and down again to Vasile G. Faklis, the current operator and namesake of one of the family's patriarchs. Serving the greater Tampa Bay area from their location in Tarpon Springs, the Faklis family has been able to merge old world craftsmanship and warm customer service with the orthotic technology of today and the future. Mr. Speaker, for 100 years the Faklis family has represented the best of the American entrepreneurial spirit. They came to America seeking a better life and have become a pillar of the local community. Their economic success and ability to adapt with the changing times exemplify the strength of this country's business community, and I commend them for their contributions to our area.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the Tarapani family of Tarpon Springs, Florida, on the accomplishment of 101 years of business and service in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Throughout their time in the United States, the Tarapani family has lived the American Dream, applying hard work and determination to create a successful small business in our community. Having emigrated from Lithuania to the United States through Ellis Island as a young boy, Abraham Tarapani opened his first storefront in Tarpon Springs in 1911. The store was an old-fashioned dry goods store, selling clothing, fabrics, hats and other general merchandise. To this day, the Tarapani Department Store proudly serves the people of Tarpon Springs and northern Pinellas County. Over the last century, the Tarapani family has become a staple of the Tarpon Springs business and civic communities. Through four generations, members of the family have actively and attentively served their local customers, while also serving the greater community with their participation on many boards and associations, including the American Legion, the Tarpon Springs Rotary Club, the Tarpon Springs Chamber of Commerce, the Tarpon Springs Board of Commissioners and the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, among others. Abraham Tarapani and his wife, Margaret, had two children: Helen and Abe, Jr. Abe, Jr. and his wife, Florida Belle, had three children: Abe III, John and Florida Belle. And finally, John had a son, Townsend. These members of the Tarapani family represent four generations and their contributions have helped to make Tarpon Springs a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Mr. Speaker, for more than 100 years the Tarapani family has represented the best of the American entrepreneurial spirit. The family has become a pillar of the local Tarpon Springs community. Their economic success and ability to adapt with the changing times exemplify the strength of this country's business community, and I commend them for their contributions to our area.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker I rise today to congratulate Westlake Christian School for receiving the Department of Education's esteemed designation of a 2012 National Blue Ribbon School. Founded in 1995 as a ministry of Palm Harbor United Methodist Church, Westlake Christian School quickly ascended to academic excellence. From its humble beginnings in a church hall with just eight kindergarteners, the school now enrolls more than 300 kindergarten through eighth grade students on its 11-acre campus. The school focuses on their mission to guide and inspire students to develop their God-given potential, while fostering a lifelong love of learning, in a nurturing Christ-centered environment. It is no small feat for a school to receive the distinguished honor of the Blue Ribbon Award. In fact, Westlake Christian School was one of just two private schools in Florida and 50 private schools throughout the entire Nation to receive this distinction. Their integrated spiritual and educational approach is providing students the building blocks of a successful education foundation. As Westlake Christian School proudly raises the Blue Ribbon flag on its campus, may those in our community and across the Nation be reminded of the good work done there daily and look to this school as a model of exemplary educational practices.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in extending my congratulations to the Republic of China (Taiwan) on its National Day this October 10. The United States and Taiwan have always had a strong relationship, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties. This relationship has led to many areas of cooperation such as matters of international security, trade and investment, cultural exchange and education, etc. Still, there are other areas that we can work with Taiwan. For instance, we need to support Taiwan's efforts to have its voice heard in international forums. I look forward to Taiwan's inclusion in international organizations as it will assist in strengthening ties between Taiwan and my home state of Florida and the United States. We need to continue to give Taiwan all the support it needs. Taiwan is a democracy and deserves our friendship and best wishes. I send my congratulations to the people of Taiwan.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Operation Helping Hand. Operation Helping Hand was started in May 2004 as a project of the Tampa Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, MOAA, with the primary mission to support and assist military patients being treated at the James A. Haley VA Hospital and their visiting families. It was noted that some of the families visiting their wounded, sick, and injured active duty military patients were unable to pay for motels, and were sleeping in their cars. That proved to be enough justification to offer necessary services. Over the course of eight years, Operation Helping Hand has helped over 750 of our active duty military wounded and injured, and countless family members, assisting with their personal needs while in Tampa, helping with the family's mortgage and bills back home, or whatever the service member or family needed to allow their primary focus to remain on healing, whether it be in Tampa or back home where the family resides. Aside from responding from their daily needs, Operation Helping Hand sponsors Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other medal or retirement ceremony receptions and hosts a monthly dinner for the patients that is attended by an average of 250-300 people. These monthly dinners honor our wounded and injured active duty military patients who are given proper recognition, and flowers and gifts at each monthly dinner. In October 2012, the 100th consecutive monthly dinner will be held. By its stated mission, Operation Helping Hand will continue to do all possible to aid the Tampa patients and their families as long as their services are required. Operation Helping Hand's efforts to improve the quality of life for severely injured services members is truly inspiring. It is with great honor that I rise today to recognize their tireless commitment to those who have served our country. I look forward to watching this organization grow and further its mission of assisting and supporting the families of injured service members.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2903, the FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2012, and particularly section 102, which authorizes the integrated public alert and warning system. Section 102 is very similar to H.R. 3563, legislation that I introduced last year to authorize IPAWS, as we call it, which was reported by the Committee on Homeland Security in March. The bill authorizes FEMA's efforts to provide timely emergency alerts and warnings through a range of alerting mechanisms and forms of technology. Emergency management officials, including officials in my home State of Florida, have stressed the value and importance of IPAWS to me personally. The National Emergency Management Association has publicly supported my IPAWS legislation, and I'm pleased to see they support this bill as well. The Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications, which I chair, has conducted robust oversight of the IPAWS program during the 112th Congress, having held multiple hearings and a briefing on the topic. I want to thank Chairman Denham for working with me and my staff to incorporate some of the provisions of my bill that were a product of this oversight into the legislation we are considering today, including language related to individuals with disabilities, access and functional needs, language ensuring the protection of individual privacy, and language regarding the resilience of the system. I'm disappointed, however, that language I suggested to include a specific reference of the system's applicability to acts of terrorism was not incorporated into the bill. However, I look forward to working with Chairman Denham and our Senate colleagues as this bill moves through the legislative process to clarify this issue. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material they may have on H.R. 4057, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4057) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a comprehensive policy to improve outreach and transparency to veterans and members of the Armed Forces through the provision of information on institutions of higher learning, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, once again, I encourage all Members to support H.R. 4057, as amended, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. I am happy to yield 2 minutes to the chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Stutzman).

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley).