[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING LIEUTENANT ERIKA CASTELLUCCI AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN 
                    CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR PRIDE MONTH

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                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Lieutenant Erika Castellucci is a true 
Floridian having been raised in South Florida. She graduated from 
Florida State University and worked as a senior legal assistant for the 
capital appeals division of the Florida Attorney General's Office. 
After a few years, she found a passion to take a more proactive 
approach and put herself through the Pat Thomas Law Enforcement 
Academy. While in the academy, she was recruited to join the Kissimmee 
Police Department, where she has risen to the rank of lieutenant after 
16 years of service.
  Lieutenant Castellucci proudly identifies as a lesbian and has been a 
member of the LGBTQ community for as long as she can remember. As part 
of her community outreach, she collaborated with The Center in 
Kissimmee as soon as it opened. Lieutenant Castellucci has been used as 
a member of the Kissimmee Police Department to highlight the 
progressive stance the City of Kissimmee takes for all LGBTQ members. 
She also served on the board for GOAL CFL for 2 years.
  During her 16 years at the Kissimmee Police Department, Lieutenant 
Castellucci has never ignored opportunities to help other LGBTQ members 
in need. Having her own coming out story from growing up helped drive 
her motivation to assist anyone struggling to make sure they knew the 
resources available to them and at times just be an ear to listen to 
their own struggles. One of her proudest moments was having the 
opportunity to march in the 2021 Orlando Pride parade hand in hand with 
her fiance as people showered all law enforcement with support. In 
those moments, it shows that we are all human with our own stories to 
be proud of.

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