PALM HARBOR, Fla. (16 June) - In recognition of his enduring work as a public servant, the Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce awarded U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), with the Upper Tampa Bay Cup Award.

Presented on Friday at the Chamber's Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, the Upper Tampa Bay Cup Award honors the region's outstanding business and community leaders. The Upper Tampa Bay community encompasses the communities of Oldsmar, Citrus Park, Town ‘N Country, Westchase and Odessa.

"Congressman Bilirakis was chosen due to his unwavering attention to the needs of his constituency," said Jerry Custin, President and CEO of Upper Tampa Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce. "Whether he is working to secure our waterways on the Homeland Security Committee or supporting our nation’s veterans, Congressman Bilirakis has a grasp of the big picture.”

Awarded annually, previous Upper Tampa Bay Cup recipients have included: the 970 WFLA News Team; Roger Kumar, benefactor to the Upper Tampa Bay Education Foundation; Former Congressman Michael Bilirakis (R-Fla.); and Don Mast, Pinellas County Deputy and Oldsmar Community Resource Officer.