Michael Bilirakis (born July 16, 1930), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since 1983, representing the 9th District of Florida (map). He was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida, was educated at the University of Pittsburgh, George Washington University, Washington, D.C 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 Nobel Committee for consideration for the Nobel Prize in Medicine. 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.
Bilirakis is retiring in 2006. His son Gus Bilirakis is hoping to succeed him.
