Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise in support of H. Res. 267, the resolution congratulating NASA on its successful Shuttle Mission STS-93, commanded…”

“I rise in support of H. Res. 267, the resolution congratulating NASA on its successful Shuttle Mission STS-93, commanded by Colonel Eileen Collins, the first female space shuttle commander. Col. Eileen Marie Collins, who is originally from Elmira, New York, was selected by NASA in January 1990, and became an astronaut in July 1991. She has an extensive resume at NASA. A veteran of three space flights, Collins has logged over 537 hours in space. She served as pilot on STS-63 (February 2-11, 1995) and STS-84 (May 15-24, 1997), and was the first woman Shuttle commander on STS-93 (July 22-27, 1999). Women have come a long way since Alan Shepard became the first American man to go into space in 1961. Women have faced numerous barriers when it comes to advancing in science professions. I can remember when women were discriminated against in employment. We passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title VII which prohibits gender discrimination in employment. I can remember when signs were put up advertising for a job but saying 'women need not apply.' We passed the Civil Service Act in 1973 eliminating weight and height requirements in federal jobs and the EEOC ruled that employers cannot discriminate against women. Today, women have been leaping bounds in professional careers. It seems that today there are no limits to the professional success of women.”