Tampabay.com
JULY 27, 2007

You never forget your first: Gus takes two.

Freshman Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, scored his first legislative victory Friday, seeing two of his ideas make it into the homeland security bill that won final approval from Congress late Friday.

The first provision requires those coordinating the development of rail security plans to be American citizens. The second requires the physical testing of rail tank cars used to carry hazardous materials.

Both are designed to thwart terrorism. The bill also includes $4-billion over four years for railroad and public transportation security. President Bush is expected to sign it.

Bilirakis serves on the homeland security committee.

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