Gus Bilirakis

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of its 100th anniversary--a remarkable milestone that reflects a century of steadfast service, economic leadership, and community commitment. Chambers of commerce are foundational institutIons within our communities. They promote economic vitality, advocate for local businesses, and offer critical resources such as training, marketing, and networking. The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce embodies these principles and has served as a vital engine of prosperity for generations. The Chamber traces its origins to 1925, when local leaders first organized a community chamber under the guidance of Frederick Williamson, its inaugural president. Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, the Chamber persevered and experienced a revival in 1938, led by visionary banker Alfred McKethan--a pivotal figure in Hernando County's economic history. As the county grew rapidly in the latter half of the 20th century, particularly with the development of new communities like Spring Hill, the business landscape became increasingly diverse and fragmented. In a decisive moment of unity and forward-thinking, leaders Morris Porton, Steve Emerson, and Vince Vanni worked to consolidate the business community. Their efforts culminated in the formal establishment of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce on December 22, 1992. Over the past 100 years, the Chamber has evolved and expanded to meet the changing needs of Hernando County's business community. Guided by its Pillars of Success--Advocacy, Marketing, Networking, and Training-- the Chamber has become the largest and oldest business organization in Hernando County. Its influence has been recognized across the region, including by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, which named it one of the largest chambers in the Tampa Bay area. The Chamber represents a broad and diverse membership spanning vital sectors such as professional services, construction and trades, real estate, healthcare, finance, education, retail, hospitality, transportation, manufacturing, and nonprofit organizations. It also leads impactful programs, including Leadership Hernando, a premier leadership development initiative that has graduated over 525 community leaders since its inception in 1992. The Chamber's enduring commitment to economic development, collaboration, and community enrichment has played an essential role in shaping Hernando County into the thriving place it is today. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce on its centennial anniversary. May its legacy of service continue to strengthen our communities for generations to come.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of this Special Order.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentlewoman from Virginia. Well said this evening. I appreciate the gentlewoman's kind words. Mr. Speaker, I rise today not only as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on International Religious Freedom and the Hellenic Caucus, but, more importantly, as an Orthodox Christian. I am here to honor and welcome His Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch, who is visiting the United States this week. This visit is a huge blessing for the Orthodox family in the United States, Mr. Speaker. Not only is His All Holiness a great spiritual leader, but he is also an unparalleled ambassador for peace, interfaith dialogue, and religious freedom. As we honor him today for a lifetime of achievements, Mr. Speaker, I think of his legacy in three words: faith, peace, and endurance. First, faith; His All Holiness has led millions of the faithful in the global Orthodox church for more than 34 years, conscientiously carrying the legacy of Saint Andrew the Apostle and upholding the 2,000-year-old traditions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Holy See for over 300 million Orthodox faithful worldwide. His leadership of the Eastern Orthodox community has impacted and will continue to impact this ancient church and doctrine for centuries to come. However, his role extends far beyond the Orthodox church, which brings me to the second point, peace. Throughout his selfless service, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been at the forefront of interreligious dialogue, setting the stage for a more peaceful and cohesive world. He has a record of reaching out and working for peace and reconciliation amongst all faiths and has fostered dialogue among Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Just last month, Mr. Speaker, he hosted the annual Religions for Peace World Council, bringing together leaders of diverse faiths to address global challenges. His All Holiness' leadership in these groundbreaking conventions has not only been about theology, but to engage faith with humanity's most pressing challenges. From his historic visit to the Korean Demilitarized Zone in 2018 to his current efforts promoting coexistence in the Middle East, His All Holiness' pursuit of global peace in the world's most challenging conflicts has truly touched the lives and hearts of millions. In fact, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received, on his first official visit to the United States in 1997, the Congressional Gold Medal presented by my father, Michael Bilirakis, and many, many others. It was presented by the United States on behalf of the Congress in recognition of his outstanding and enduring contributions to religious understanding and peace and was recognized by the United States in a manner reserved for a very small number of world leaders, as you know, Mr. Speaker, leaders such as George Washington, Winston Churchill, and Pope John Paul II. Most dear to my heart, however, is his life of enduring advocacy for his persecuted church, as well as other oppressed religious minorities. Recently, when the Egyptian Government confiscated the holy Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew stood as defender of Christian heritage. This monastery is not just a Greek Orthodox treasure but an ancient house to Christianity's most valued heritage, including the sacred tree, the Burning Bush, where our God revealed himself to Moses. For months now, Mr. Speaker, His All Holiness has led a global movement demanding that the Egyptian Government honor this heritage and protect the autonomy of the monastic community in Sinai. For those of us in Congress who have worked to preserve the monastery's independence and existence, his advocacy is a source of inspiration. His All Holiness' mission to protect the Christian community and its heritage in Turkiye is just another example of his noble pursuit. In the last hundred years, the Turkish state has systemically exploited its Christian communities unfortunately, reducing them from 20 percent of the population to a mere 2 percent. To this day, the Turkish Government refuses to recognize His All Holiness' ecumenical jurisdiction, stripping him of the universal title that is acknowledged by more than 300 million faithful across the globe. Mr. Speaker, His All Holiness has endured in silence discrimination under Erdogan's regime. This body must insist that Turkiye eliminate all forms of discrimination, particularly discrimination based on race or religion, grant the Ecumenical Patriarchate appropriate recognition and ecclesiastic succession, grant the Ecumenical Patriarchate the right to train clergy of all nationalities, not just Turkish nationals, by reopening the famed and beautiful Theological School at Halki, which I visited in 2019 with my beautiful wife. Turkiye must absolutely reopen the jewel of Christendom, the Hagia Sophia, Church of the Holy Wisdom of God, as a church, not a mosque. The Hagia Sophia was the world's largest cathedral for nearly 1,000 years. It served as a center for all Christians until the Ottoman invasion in 1453, which saw the collapse of Constantinople as well as the church. For decades, it had been converted to a museum and has been a UNESCO Heritage site until Erdogan illegally converted it into a mosque 5 years ago. I could go on and on, Mr. Speaker, about the persecution His All Holiness and the Ecumenical Patriarchate has faced under Erdogan's rule. It is maddening, as far as I am concerned. But Ankara's violations go far beyond just Christian communities. Just over the summer, Mr. Speaker, the government authorities in Istanbul arrested 41 Muslim women, including 15 minor girls, solely based on their religious expression. As the Turkish Government converts ancient churches to mosques, intimidates clergy, and displaces religious and ethnic minorities, His All Holiness has continued to peacefully advocate for the voiceless, which is why I take this occasion to call on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to designate Turkiye as a country of particular concern under U.S. law. It is incumbent upon us to recognize His All Holiness as a living testament for Turkiye's explicit mission to erase its native Christian community and to respond to such cynical plans with the seriousness they deserve. As we honor His All Holiness today, let us not only celebrate his faithfulness and mission of peace but commit ourselves to defending the rights of his church and the protection of all persecuted religious minorities. The timing of the Ecumenical Patriarch's visit could not be more ideal as America is grieving the loss of a true warrior of God, Charlie Kirk, who through his death has shown all of us that we must be defenders of our faith, even if that puts us in danger. I am going to say it again. We must be defenders of our faith, even if it puts us in danger. We have to be a voice for the voiceless. We must be convicted and stay the course so that our faith is not extinguished by bad actors. To honor both His All Holiness and America's martyr, Charlie Kirk, is to take up their cause, the cause of religious freedom, the cause of peaceful coexistence, and the cause of standing up to those who oppress others. I wish my friend and my spiritual father, Ecumenical Patriarch, a safe and fruitful visit as he inspires not only the Orthodox faithful but all who love peace, understanding, and humanity. May God bless His All Holiness, our Patriarchate in Constantinople, now Istanbul, our beautiful 2,000-year old faith and Orthodox Church. May God bless the United States of America. I also wanted to say that Archbishop Iakovos stood with Martin Luther King and marched at Selma. He was called by Martin Luther King. It is depicted in the movie, Mr. Speaker, ``Selma.'' He was called by Martin Luther King. He showed up for the march. Martin Luther King apparently told him: Wow, I am surprised--something to that effect. He said his final words were, before the march: You called, and I came. We must stand up to racism. We must stand up to any form of discrimination, in this case religious freedom. I appreciate all of you. I know there are others that will speak at a later time, but I want to welcome this wonderful individual who visited the White House today with President Trump, just an outstanding person and a wonderful role model for all of us. Mr. Speaker, God bless you and God bless America.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move that the House do now adjourn.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary American and proud constituent, Mr. Lewis M. Unterman, who will reach the remarkable milestone of 100 years young on November 7, 2025. Born in New York on November 7, 1925, Mr. Unterman represents a generation of Americans whose courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to freedom helped shape the course of history. At the age of 18, in the midst of World War II, Lewis answered the call to serve his country. On September 8, 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served honorably as a Seaman First Class. During his military service, Lewis demonstrated exceptional bravery and dedication. His valor was recognized through the awarding of multiple service decorations, including the Combat Action Ribbon, the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and the Victory Medal. These honors reflect his direct contribution to the global fight for peace and liberty during one of the most defining conflicts of the 20th century. Following his military service, Lewis continued to embody the values of duty, service, and community. He now resides in Beverly Hills, Florida, where he remains an active and respected member of VFW Post 10087, continuing to advocate for his fellow veterans and keep the memory of their sacrifices alive. Lewis and his beloved wife, Ellie, are shining examples of American patriotism and community spirit. Together, they have left an indelible mark on those around them, reminding us all of the strength and integrity that have long defined the American character. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of Florida's 12th Congressional District and the United States House of Representatives, I am proud to honor Mr. Lewis M. Unterman for his lifetime of service and sacrifice. I extend my heartfelt congratulations on his upcoming 100th birthday and offer best wishes for continued health, happiness, and the gratitude of a grateful Nation. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1737) to direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit to Congress a report containing an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of a trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable connecting the contiguous United States, the United States Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria.

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of H.R. 1737. I am advocating for this particular bill. The bill would direct the Secretary of Commerce to submit a report on the value, cost, and feasibility of developing a transatlantic submarine cable connecting the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ghana, and Nigeria. Submarine cables are critical components of communications infrastructure, carrying data traffic across oceans. There are more than 600 active and planned submarine cable systems that keep the world connected, but there is no cable connecting the United States to the continent of Africa. Mr. Speaker, a transatlantic submarine cable could provide national security benefits to the United States, given Africa's strategic importance, and it is an important issue to study, in my opinion. I thank Delegate Plaskett and Representative Fulcher for their leadership on this particular bill, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 1737. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I commend the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands (Ms. Plaskett) for offering this very important bill, and I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2481) to require online dating service providers to provide fraud ban notifications to online dating servicemembers, and for other purposes.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on this particular bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2481, the Romance Scam Prevention Act, led by Representative Valadao. This legislation would require online dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with someone who has been removed from the platform for fraudulent activity. Online dating platforms have been around for over 30 years, and they continue to grow in popularity. While they can help people connect, their accessibility and digital format have also created new risks, unfortunately. The FTC, the Federal Trade Commission, reported that romance scams lost victims $1.3 billion in 2022. I have constituents who were victims, unfortunately. Many of those affected were elderly individuals who lost their retirement savings. What a shame. By requiring a fraud ban notification, we can put a stop to these senseless scams and protect vulnerable consumers. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in voting in favor of H.R. 2481, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the great State of California (Mr. Valadao), a very effective Member of Congress.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1679) to direct the Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, to conduct an interagency review of and report to Congress on ways to increase the global competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct investment.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on this particular bill.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1679, the Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2025. This is being led by the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Evans), my good friend and a very effective Member of Congress. This bill directs the Secretary of Commerce and the Comptroller General to conduct a review and report on ways to increase and attract foreign direct investment, or FDI, from trusted countries. The United States is currently a global leader in deployment of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, blockchain, and many more. To maintain that leadership, we must continue to foster an environment that encourages our allies and trusted global partners to invest here at home. By removing barriers and showing the world that the U.S. is the premier destination for investment, innovation, manufacturing, and deployment, the U.S. will cement itself as the global leader of the new age of technological advancements. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in favor of this particular bill, H.R. 1679. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from the State of Colorado (Mr. Evans), a true public servant.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I encourage a ``yes'' vote on this particular bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2269) to require certain products to be labeled with ``Do Not Flush'' labeling, and for other purposes.

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

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2269, the Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, or the WIPPES Act, led by Representative McClain. The bipartisan, bicameral bill mandates wet wipe manufacturers to label their products as nonflushable. In doing so, it will provide consumers with clearer guidance, thereby saving local water utilities millions of dollars a year from preventable sewer blockages. I appreciate Chairperson McClain's efforts to advance the WIPPES Act, along with Senator Merkley and Representative Mullin. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this bill, H.R. 2269, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Mrs. McClain).