Congressman Gus Bilirakis and Congresswoman Kathy Castor presented their parents, former Congressman Mike Bilirakis and former Florida Education Commissioner and University of South Florida president Betty Castor as recipients of the second annual Tiger Bay Club of Tampa Lifetime Achievement Awards.
With Kathy Castor, a Democrat, presenting her mother the award and Gus Bilirakis, a Republican, giving his father the award, the ceremony reflected the club's non-partisan spirit.
Tiger Bay bills itself as a premier non-partisan political and issue-oriented club. Through forums, it has provided an open floor for public debate for many decades.
Tiger Bay Clubs throughout the state have been noted for allowing its members to directly ask tough questions of candidates and the people behind the issues from their audience members, with a panel judging the most difficult questions and the best inquisitor receiving a prize for the best question during that program.
This year's lifetime achievement ceremony took place on Monday (Feb. 12) at the historic Italian Club, 1731 E Seventh Ave. in Ybor City.
John Wilson, former WTVT-Ch. 13 news anchor served as Master of Ceremonies.
The Tiger Bay Club of Tampa Lifetime Achievement Awards began last year with Governor Bob Martinez and former Florida House Speaker Terrell Sessums receiving the inaugural Lifetime Achievement awards in 2017.
All Tiger Bay programs can be streamed anytime on the web at the TBAE cable channel television network and downloaded directly from their website, TBAE.net.
For more information about Tiger Bay Club, visit tigerbayclub.com.