Washington, D.C. -U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today
extended her congratulations to Eileen Collins for her recent induction into
the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Collins, a native of Elmira, New York, was
the first female pilot and commander of a NASA shuttle. Collins joined the Air
Force in 1978 and was recruited to join NASA as one of its earliest female
pilots in 1990. Senator Gillibrand submitted the following statement to the
Congressional Record:
“I would like to add to the record my most heartfelt
congratulations to Eileen Collins for her recent induction into the National
Aviation Hall of Fame. As an Elmira, NY native, Eileen is the first female
pilot and commander of a NASA shuttle. She has orbited the Earth 573
times. As a child, Eileen was inspired to be a pilot by watching the
planes over the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport and the Harris Hill glider field.
She joined the Air Force in 1978 and was recruited to join NASA as one of its
earliest female pilots in 1990. The communities of New York’s Southern
Tier are so proud of Eileen’s historic achievements.
“As the first female pilot and shuttle commander, Eileen
Collins is an inspiration and true role model to girls and young women
nationwide. Her achievements prove that women everywhere can, and should, reach
for the stars.”