Rep. Gus Bilirakis update on Veterans legislation

Rightardia got this in an email today. We cover veteran news regardless of political party. 

Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have worked very hard to ensure our veterans continue to remain a top priority. As Vice-Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I am proud of the many strides we have made in honor of our nation's heroes and pleased my colleagues in the Senate and House, especially Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), continued these efforts in the final days of the 112th Congress by passing two important pieces of legislation benefitting veterans.

The Improving Transparency of Education Opportunities for Veterans Act (H.R. 4057), which I authored, and the Dignified Burial of Veterans Act (S. 3202), which includes language I introduced in the House, are currently awaiting President Obama’s signature.

H.R. 4057 enhances the Post 9/11 GI Bill, ensuring veterans’ educational benefits are used most efficiently and effectively. It highlights available educational resources to help GI Bill beneficiaries choose the school best meeting their educational needs. It also limits the total amount of taxpayer dollars which can be paid to senior VA employees in bonuses.

I hope this important legislation is swiftly signed into law, so our nation’s heroes can maximize their educational opportunities and reintegrate into the civilian workforce with the skills and training they need to succeed.

S. 3202 requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide caskets or urns for veterans with no next of kin and insufficient resources to cover burial and funeral expenses. The legislation comes after it was discovered that Pvt. Lawrence Davis Jr., a World War II veteran with no next of kin, was buried in a cardboard box at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla.

America's veterans deserve to be laid to rest the same way they served this nation: with dignity and honor. This legislation recognizes their service and ensures all veterans receive proper respect upon their passing.

Video: Bilirakis Urges Support of Legislation to Improve Effectiveness of Veterans Educational Programs

Sincerely,



Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress

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Written like a true politician

Got this letter from Congressman Bilirakis on Veterans day. The congressman was just reelected, 

You would think he was pro-veteran but his score form the Iraq and Afghan Veterans of America suggests otherwise. 

At a time when our country faces great uncertainty, one thing has remained constant – the men and women who stand on the frontline to defend the freedoms and values upon which this great country was built.

The service of our Nation’s veterans spans every day of every year of every decade of our country’s existence. Over the past two centuries, our world has changed and the duties of the Armed Forces have changed with it. However, the bravery, dignity and honor of our men and women in uniform remain firm.

Veterans Day is an opportunity for us to not only thank this country’s heroes of war, but also remember the selfless sacrifices made by our service members and their families to maintain peace at home and abroad. We are forever in their debt; and therefore, must continue to uphold our end of the bargain by keeping them a top priority when they return home.

Today, we have a new generation of veterans, who face different challenges and obstacles than their counterparts of years past. Nearly a quarter million brave men and women living in the Tampa Bay area have served in our Armed Forces, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have increased access to the educational and health benefits they earned in service to our country.

Injuries like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury are oftentimes the silent wounds of war, going unnoticed because of the stigma associated. However, they are not character flaws, and we need to change the culture that discourages many members of our Armed Forces from seeking the medical attention they need, particularly when suffering from a mild traumatic brain injury. This is why, as Vice Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee,  I have worked diligently to draw attention to issues, like TBI, bringing Congress, the U.S. Army and the NFL together to discuss ways we can partner to make our research dollars extend farther. It is also why I have made it my personal mission to see proposals like Heroes Ranch, a local, family-friendly, specially designed post-acute, long-term care facility, come to fruition.

In this difficult economy, we must work to enhance benefits for our veterans in the most cost-effective way possible. Making great strides in that effort, I sponsored H.R. 4057, which the House passed in September, to increase the effectiveness of current veterans’ educational programs. This legislation arms this generation of Post 9/11 veterans with the necessary information that will allow them to gain skills to re-enter the workforce and make a smooth transition from the battlefield to civilian life.

Our veterans define the meaning of patriotism and heroism, and they embody the American spirit that has forged a better and brighter future for our Nation’s children and grandchildren.

This Veterans Day, may we celebrate and remember all those who have served, are serving or will serve this country.

Sincerely,



Gus Bilirakis
Member of Congress

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Johnathan Michael Snow has sign waving with a twist

With only a few days left to register to vote or update your voter registration, NOW is the time to check your registration status! With only 32 days left to vote, NOW is the time to register to vote by mail! With so much at stake in this election, NOW is the time to get involved with our campaign for common sense governement!  Hundreds of your neighbors have already voted and hundreds of thousands of voters will vote over the next five weeks. Be sure you are part of this historic election!

You can take action, make a difference, and help us win this election by engaging in one, some, or all of the following activities: 

1.  You can make a donation by clicking CONTRIBUTE or by clicking the wrench at the bottom of this message. Every donation, even $3, makes a big difference because every cent is carefully spent on spreading our message of common sense government.
2.  You can call voters for our campaign by using our "virtual phone bank." All you need is a phone, a computer, and an internet connection; and I know you have at least two of those! Click here to sign up! You will then receive an email within asking you to set up a password for VoteBuilder. Then simply sign in, click on "virtual phone bank", call the voter displayed, read through the script, and then mark the voter's responses. Using our "virtual phone bank" provides our campaign with critical information while spreading word of our campaign.
3. You can join us by attending any of the following events:

• Sign waving on Monday, October 8th from 4:30 P.M. until 5:30 P.M. at the intersection of US Hwy 19 and Alt. 19 in Holiday. Parking available at Tire Kingdom.

Upcoming Debate Schedule

Congressman Bilirakis refuses to participate;

however, I'll be there and I'd like your support!

• HAWL forum: Wednesday, October 10th at 12:00 NOON at the University Club in the Tampa City Center on the 38th floor: 201 N. Franklin Street, Tampa (RSVP with HAWL needed)
• AAUW forum: October 13th at 10:00 A.M. at Rasmussen College: 8661 Citizens Drive, Suite #302, New Port Richey‏
• Chamber of Commerce forum: Monday, October 15th at 7:00 P.M. at East Pasco Adventist Academy: 38434 Centennial Road, Dade City

You can add to the list of our friends on Facebook, by liking our page and then sharing it on your wall and with your friends.

 

NOW, you know what to do. Take action today and be a difference maker! 

However you decide to help lead our campaign to victory I want to thank you and let you know that I really appreciate your support and vote!

Sincerely,

Jonathan

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Gus Bilirakis sends out misleading direct mail

Gus Bilirakis direct mail is very misleading Rightardia has pointed out that Rep. Bilirakis got a D from the Iraq and Afghan Veterans of America is its 2010 Report Card. He also got a zero per cent rating from the Florida Alliance of Retired Americans (FLARA). 

His direct mail piece suggests he supports vets an seniors.His record suggests otherwise.

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New IAVA Report Card due out on Aug. 23

This is the Iraq and Afghan Veterans of America 2010 report card for the two US Republican representatives form Pinellas county. These two report cards were unchanged form 2008.

 

Of interest,Gus Bilirakis runs annual veteran events with Bay Pines and many other veteran organizations annually  You would think he would be big supporter of vets. His voting record suggests otherwise,

CW Bill Young has been in the House for 40 years and needs to retire. His Democratic challenger, Jessica Ehrlich, may send him packing!

MS. Ehrlich needs to work with veteran organizations to expose Young's shabby record with vets.

The 2012 IAVA report card will be out in two days, Young, who is a leading lawmakers on military matters,  got another F. 

sources:

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/124931-veterans-group-gives-congress-low-marks-

http://media.iava.org/iava_action/IAVA_Action_2010_Congressional_Report_Card.pdf

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The Buzz blog: backer of two Florida GOP congressmen arrested

Susan Taylor Martin July 22, 2010

A real estate investor and his wife, who have contributed to the campaigns of U.S. Reps Vern Buchanan and Gus Bilirakis, are being held in the Sarasota County Jail on multiple felony charges stemming from an alleged fraud scheme.

FDLE agents arrested Mark Brivik, 55, and Marie Marie Brivik, 53, on Monday in Orlando, where they now live. Mark Brivik, described by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune as one of Southwest Florida’s “most notorious property flippers,’’ was a high flier in the area’s real estate market before the housing boom crashed.

Federal records show the couple gave a total of $8,300 to Buchanan, R-Sarasota, and $4,200 to Bilrakis, R-Palm Harbor, in 2006 plus $4,300 to various Republican Party committees between 2001 and 2004.

Brivik, a disbarred lawyer wanted in his native South Africa on fraud and theft charges, hosted a fundraiser for Buchanan in 2006 and listed Buchanan as the secured party on two 2006 financing statements related to the Boca Creek Development Co., state records show.

On his 2006 personal financial disclosure statement, Buchanan listed a loan to Brivik of between $500,000 and $1 million – and on his 2007 report listed the loan as having zero value.

UPDATE: U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who received $4,200 in campaign contributions in 2006 from a man facing numerous felony fraud charges, will make a $4,200 contribution to Operation Helping Hand in Tampa, Bilrakis spokesman Dave Peluso said Thursday afternoon.

Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, had been unaware of any allegations concerning real estate investor Mark Brivik until reading about them on the Buzz.

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