[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 18, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING ANGELIQUE L. PERRY AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL
FLORIDA FOR WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
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HON. DARREN SOTO
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Angelique L. Perry, who prefers to be called
Angel, is originally from Brooklyn, New York, but moved to Orlando,
Florida, in October of 2009.
Since she was a little girl, she has always wanted to serve in public
office. Both of her parents were New York State employees who were
proud union members. The union experience put her on the path to
``always wanting to help others.''
Community advocacy was part of her childhood. She volunteered with
her parents, tagged in with projects in college, and even opened her
home in Watertown, New York, to any newly enlisted Army recruits who
did not have a family of their own. She was happy to provide meals,
someone to practice PT with, and much more.
In 2014, CWA Local 3108 President Steve Wisniewski offered her the
opportunity to become a shop steward. After completing her
certification training, she was asked to take on more responsibilities.
In 2015, she attended additional training by the Central Florida
Labor Council, which helped cement her knowledge of the political and
electoral process. CWA extended an offer for Angel to become an AFL-CIO
labor delegate, and she was sworn in by the Central Florida Labor
Council in May of that same year.
Once certified in organizing and teaching, her role included
educating on civics, constitutional law, contract negotiations, labor
rights, and how unions work on a day-to-day. As an AFL-CIO delegate,
she completes screenings of political candidates who are seeking
labor's endorsement, attends the Family Lobby Corps in Tallahassee, and
participates in grassroots campaigning for candidates who passed
labor's assessment. Even with all those tasks, she was not satisfied
and desired to do even more. Angel volunteered to become a chief
steward for CWA Local 3108, which she happily included in her
responsibilities of representing several departments for her employer.
In 2016, realizing an overwhelming need for care, Angel created a
charity dedicated to helping veterans adjust to civilian life. No
matter the task, she does whatever she can to help whoever needs it.
This was a passion in honor of her grandfather, Charles R. Hibbler Sr.,
who was a WWII veteran. It is important to her for veterans to have
every advantage they are entitled to. This work must continue with
military individuals as she had done when she lived in New York.
After a few years of labor advocacy, she decided to run for office
within CWA Local 3108. Her campaign was successful, and the members
elected her as their executive vice president in 2017. Angel is
currently on her third term and continues to serve on over 20 contracts
and help veterans as part of her daily work.
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