Among other senior-related issues, Gus introduced legislation that established a national grant program to help states establish ‘Silver Alert’ notification systems to locate missing individuals suffering from Alzheimer's and other dementia-related illnesses. Gus regularly meets with seniors and seniors groups in the Tampa Bay area.

Legendary entertainer Pat Boone, spokesman for the 60 Plus Association, announced the award.

“Gus Bilirakis can always be counted on to protect Social Security and Medicare,” Boone said. “Gus Bilirakis will be a tax cutter, protecting the pocket books of senior citizens. 60 Plus calls on nearly 5.5 million seniors nationally for support, so I believe I can speak on behalf of seniors when I say that they can count on Gus Bilirakis. Clearly, seniors will have no finer friend in Congress than Gus Bilirakis.”

Boone, still performing at concerts, was a recording, movie and TV star second to none in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, and had 38 top 10 hits during his career. Now a national spokesman for 60 Plus, Boone labeled Bilirakis a “fighter for the elderly.”