Man of the Year Award Plaque presented in 1996 to Congressman Mike Bilirakis by the Pancyprian Association. From the political ephemera and memorabilia collection of Congressman Hon. Michael Bilirakis. The rectangular plaque has separately mounted and hallmarked sterling sculptures of a ship titled Kreyenia II and the Greek Island of Cyprus, signed by Mandos Jewelry. Total dimensions: 16"h x 20.5"w, larger plaque: 6.25"h x 10"w. The Kryenia II is an example of experimental nautical archaeology. It is a working replica of a the Kyrenia, a 4th-century BC Greek merchant ship which was excavated 1950 - 1970. The Kyrenia II was constructed in 1982 using traditional 4th century Greek methods and she first sailed in 1984. Since the original launch she has become the ambassador of Cypriot culture; in 1986, she visited New York; in 1988, Japan; and in 1989, West Germany; Information on Kyrenia II: http://kyrenia-collection.org/resources/PDF_Files/Great-Moments-Tzalas-reduced.pdf, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrenia_ship#Kyrenia_II. PROVENANCE: From the lifetime collection of Congressman Michael Bilirakis. The Congressman enjoyed a long tenure in Politics and was well liked and regarded receiving signed letters, books and photographs from politicians and authors around the world. We offer here effects from his private collection of political ephemera. BIOGRAPHY: Congressman Michael Bilirakis (b. 1930) was a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives between 1983 until 2007, representing the 9th District of Florida. The congressman was born in Tarpon Springs, Florida. His family moved to Clairton, PA where he attended school and worked in the steel mills before serving in the United States Air Force from 1950 to 1954. The Congressman earned his Law Degree from the University of Central Florida, Gainesville and worked as an attorney and taught law classes before running for office. He was first elected in 1982 and in 1984 had a landslide victory taking 78% of the vote and the going onto run unopposed in 1988, 1994, 1998 and 2004. The Congressman introduced nine bills which were enacted by the President of the United States and was involved in hundreds of additional bills. He was a leader in health reform and was one of the primary authors of the Health Coverage Availability and Affordability Act. He was a member of several committees, the House Commerce Committee, where he served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health and Environment, and also the Energy and Power Subcommittee, the Veterans' Affairs Committee and Vice-Chairman of its Subcommittee on Health and has served as Chairman of the Task Force on the Elderly He was one of the primary authors of the Health Coverage Availability and Affordability Act and co-authored the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments.