Michael Bilirakis
Encyclopedia
Michael Bilirakis American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives
since 1983 until 2007, representing the 9th District of Florida.
Bilirakis was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida
but spent his childhood in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh
and also attended George Washington University
for a time. He earned a law degree from the University of Florida
. Bilirakis served in the United States Air Force
during the Korean War
.
Bilarikis has worked in various capacities. He worked as a steelworker while in college in Pittsburgh and later worked as an engineer. Bilarikis spent the majority of his professional career as an attorney and also taught law classes. He served as a municipal judge in both Tarpon Springs and New Port Richey, Florida
.
He made his first run for office in 1982, contesting the newly created and then politically balanced 9th District. He narrowly defeated State Representative
George Sheldon by 4,300 votes. However, he was reelected with 78 percent of the vote in 1984 and was reelected 10 more times, never facing serious opposition. He even ran unopposed in 1988, 1994, 1998 and 2004.
Bilirakis retired in 2006. His son, Gus
, a Florida state representative, defeated Democrat Phyllis Busansky in the 2006 congressional race for the elder Bilirakis's House seat. Bilirakis is of Greek ancestry and is married.
In August 2009, Bilirakis was added to Governor Charlie Christ's short list to Replace U.S. Senator Mel Martinez.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
since 1983 until 2007, representing the 9th District of Florida.
Bilirakis was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs, Florida
Tarpon Springs is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,003 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 22,554....
but spent his childhood in McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
McKeesport is a city in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in the United States; it is located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers and is part of the Pittsburgh Metro Area. The population was 19,731 at the 2010 census...
. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
and also attended George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
for a time. He earned a law degree from the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
. Bilirakis served in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Bilarikis has worked in various capacities. He worked as a steelworker while in college in Pittsburgh and later worked as an engineer. Bilarikis spent the majority of his professional career as an attorney and also taught law classes. He served as a municipal judge in both Tarpon Springs and New Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey, Florida
New Port Richey is a city in Pasco County, Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
He made his first run for office in 1982, contesting the newly created and then politically balanced 9th District. He narrowly defeated State Representative
Florida House of Representatives
The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida. The House is composed of 120 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 156,677.The House convenes at...
George Sheldon by 4,300 votes. However, he was reelected with 78 percent of the vote in 1984 and was reelected 10 more times, never facing serious opposition. He even ran unopposed in 1988, 1994, 1998 and 2004.
Bilirakis retired in 2006. His son, Gus
Gus Bilirakis
Gus Michael Bilirakis is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives.- Early life, education and career :...
, a Florida state representative, defeated Democrat Phyllis Busansky in the 2006 congressional race for the elder Bilirakis's House seat. Bilirakis is of Greek ancestry and is married.
In August 2009, Bilirakis was added to Governor Charlie Christ's short list to Replace U.S. Senator Mel Martinez.