Michael Bilirakis

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Michael Bilirakis

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida's 9th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 1983–January 4, 2007
Preceded by	Bill Nelson
Succeeded by	Gus Bilirakis

Born	July 16, 1930 (age 76) Tarpon Springs, Florida
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Evelyn Bilirakis
Religion	Greek Orthodox

Michael Bilirakis (born July 16, 1930), American politician, was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1983 until 2007, representing the 9th District of Florida.

He was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida, was educated at the University of Pittsburgh, George Washington University, and the University of Florida, served in the United States Air Force, and was a steelworker, engineer, college instructor, lawyer, and judge before entering the House.

In 1999, Bilirakis wrote a letter in which he presented William Hammesfahr to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for consideration for the "Nobel Peace Prize in Medicine." (There is no such award.) Hammesfahr later said that he had been nominated for the Nobel Prize, claiming that this letter constituted a nomination, even though Bilirakis was not eligible to actually nominate him. Biliraki's other contribution to medicine was HR 5213, which focused on inflammatory bowel disease.

Bilirakis retired in 2006, but it is believed he is considering a run for the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination. His son Gus Bilirakis defeated Democrat Phyllis Busansky in the 2006 congressional race for the elder Bilirakis's House seat.