WASHINGTON (26 June) - Americans for Tax reform (ATR) honored Representative Gus Bilirakis today with its annual “Hero for the Taxpayer” award at a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. The taxpayer advocacy organization presents the awards to members of Congress who vote with taxpayers on 85 percent or more of the issues tracked by ATR as important for economic growth.

“Commitment and dedication to taxpayer’s interests, has been imperative in the fight against excessive taxation in the 1st session of the 110th Congress,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and prominent D.C.-based activist. “These Congressional Ratings allow taxpayers to see, when it comes to their hard-earned money, exactly who the heroes and the ‘villains’ are in Congress.  It is clear that Gus Bilirakis has proven to be a hero.”

In addition to critical votes on free-trade and the extension of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts, ATR also rated votes on the increase of income tax rates and excise taxes, and the repeal of the Alternative Minimum Tax.  In the House, ATR double-rated votes against tax increases within the Long-Term Energy Alternatives for the Nation Act and against the tax-hiking “farm-bill.”

“Many promises are made prior to coming to Washington, especially that of lower taxes,” Norquist said. “However, these promises are not always upheld.  Constituents deserve to know who has kept their pledge and worked for taxpayer’s interests, and are not beholden to special interests.  Americans for Tax Reform applauds Representative Gus Bilirakis’s commitment to taxpayers nationwide.”

ATR double-rates the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” in all its Congressional Scorecards.  The Pledge is a written promise offered to every incumbent and candidate opposing “any and all tax increases.”  Violators of the Pledge are not eligible to receive the “Hero of the Taxpayer” award.  To date, the President, 192 members of the House of Representatives and 41 Senators (including Representative Bilirakis) have signed the Pledge.