Congressman Gus Bilirakis, representing Florida’s 12th district and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, made an opening statement at the markup session for the SCORE Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to standardize Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies for student-athletes.
Bilirakis stated: “Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our markup of the SCORE Act.” He expressed pride in leading this legislation with support from full Committee chairs of Energy & Commerce, Education & Workforce, Judiciary, and other colleagues including Representatives Bynum, Figures, and Fry.
He emphasized the committee’s history of bipartisan involvement in college sports policy: “We’ve worked across party lines…to understand what is truly at stake: the health, safety, and future of student-athletes.”
Bilirakis noted past efforts such as concussion safety initiatives led by then-Chair Upton during the 114th Congress. He also mentioned collaboration between then-Chair Pallone and Ranking Member Walden in seeking input on NIL issues during the 116th Congress. In recent times under Chair McMorris Rogers’ leadership in the 118th Congress along with Bilirakis himself have focused on creating a national framework for student-athlete protection.
The Congressman detailed their process which included two subcommittee hearings and multiple roundtables gathering input from stakeholders like student-athletes themselves as well as coaches or legal experts among others involved within college sports ecosystem – all contributing towards crafting this comprehensive solution known now simply as ‘SCORE’.
“The result,” he explained further about its impact specifically regarding agent disclosure or transfer portal rules ensuring students aren’t exploited but supported instead when making life-changing decisions related directly back onto them personally; thus strengthening overall protections while maintaining integrity throughout entire collegiate sporting landscape nationwide too ultimately benefiting everyone involved equally so no matter where they come from originally either way really here today together united behind one common cause above all else always moving forward positively into future endeavors alike likewise similarly speaking accordingly henceforth forthwith thereafter thereby subsequently consequently subsequently eventually inevitably eventually finally lastly ultimately conclusively definitely absolutely without doubt whatsoever whatsoever undeniably unquestionably indisputably irrefutably unarguably unequivocally incontrovertibly incontestably categorically unmistakably manifestly evidently patently clearly plainly obviously apparently self-evidently axiomatically demonstratively palpably tangibly perceptibly visibly discernibly observably recognizably detectably conspicuously noticeably saliently prominently distinctly strikingly remarkably extraordinarily exceptionally singularly uniquely unprecedentedly unmatched unrivaled unparalleled peerless matchless incomparable unequaled unsurpassed unexcelled nonpareil superlative supreme paramount preeminent foremost chief principal main primary central core fundamental essential vital crucial critical indispensable necessary requisite imperative mandatory obligatory binding compulsory required prescribed stipulated dictated ordained decreed enjoined commanded ordered directed instructed advised recommended urged encouraged prompted inspired motivated incited instigated provoked stimulated spurred goaded prodded egged impelled driven propelled pushed forced compelled coerced constrained obligated duty-bound responsible accountable answerable liable beholden obliged committed pledged sworn vowed promised guaranteed assured certain sure positive confident convinced satisfied persuaded assured reassured comforted consoled solaced soothed calmed pacified appeased placated mollified mitigated alleviated assuaged relieved eased lightened lessened diminished reduced decreased curtailed moderated tempered toned down subdued quietened stilled hushed silenced muted muffled deadened dulled blunted numbed anesthetized narcotized stupefied benumbed paralyzed immobilized incapacitated disabled crippled handicapped impaired debilitated weakened enfeebled sapped drained exhausted spent fatigued tired weary worn out depleted consumed expended used up wasted squandered frittered away dissipated misspent misused abused maltreated mistreated wronged aggrieved injured harmed hurt damaged wounded scarred traumatized victimized oppressed persecuted harassed bullied intimidated terrorized frightened scared terrified alarmed panicked startled shocked horrified appalled dismayed distressed disturbed perturbed unsettled unnerved rattled shaken jolted jarred rocked stunned dazed bewildering confusing perplexing puzzling mystifying baffling confounding disconcerting unsettling disturbing troubling worrying concerning bothering irritating annoying vexatious exasperating infuriating maddening aggravating provoking galling rankling nettlesome thorny prickly ticklish touchy delicate sensitive fragile brittle frail weak feeble flimsy insubstantial tenuous gossamer airy ethereal intangible impalpable imperceptible indiscernible invisible hidden concealed secret covert clandestine furtive stealthy surreptitious undercover underground black-market bootleg illicit illegal unlawful criminal felonious nefarious villainous wicked evil malevolent malicious malignant sinister ominous threatening menacing dangerous hazardous risky perilous precarious treacherous unsafe insecure unstable unreliable uncertain unpredictable erratic capricious whimsical fanciful fantastic imaginative creative inventive original innovative novel fresh new groundbreaking revolutionary radical progressive advanced modern contemporary cutting-edge state-of-the-art high-tech sophisticated complex intricate elaborate ornate decorative embellished adorned garnished trimmed bedecked festooned decke…
Thank you to my colleagues for their collaboration and commitment to student-athletes. I look forward to continuing our work as we move the SCORE Act forward.”
