[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 174 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1123-E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING U.S. AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT COLONEL OLGA E. CUSTODIO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOAQUIN CASTRO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 10, 2022

  Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in honor of 
Lieutenant Colonel Olga E. Custodio for her service to our country and 
the San Antonio community. Lt. Col. Custodio graciously served on my 
2018 Military Service Academy Nomination Board and played an essential 
role in helping local students begin their military careers.
  Lt. Col. Custodio knew the path to her dream would not be easy. While 
studying at the University of Puerto Rico, she was denied the 
opportunity to participate in the university's Reserve Officer Training 
Corps program because women were not allowed at that time.
  Never giving up hope, she went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a 
commissioned military officer--and more.
  As the first Latina to complete U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot 
Training, she graduated in the top five percent of her class (of 48) 
with a fighter qualification to fly the T-38 as an instructor pilot. 
Lt. Col. Custodio points to three principles that have helped her 
become successful in a profession dominated by men: overcoming self-
doubt, staying open to possibilities, and seeing herself as an equal.
  A female military aviation pioneer, she served for 24 years in the 
U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. She received an 
Aviation Safety Award for superior airmanship for her handling of an 
engine failure in-flight emergency
  After transitioning to the U.S. Air Force Reserves, Lt. Col. Custodio 
became the first Latina commercial airline pilot for American Airlines 
and was later upgraded to captain. In addition to the T-38T, she flew 
the T-41, B-727, F-100, B-757, and B-767. She owns a Cessna T210L and 
has also flown several general aviation aircraft including the Stearman 
biplane, Cessna-172, Beechcraft-35 V-tail, Cirrus Vision Jet, and a few 
others.
  Today, Lt. Col. Custodio is retired with over 11,000 flight hours to 
her name. Now a speaker and community leader, she serves on the board 
of several nonprofit organizations, including the Latino Pilots 
Association, Order of Daedalians, Dee Howard Foundation, and Women in 
Aviation Alamo City, which advocate for inspiring and empowering 
students, especially those from underserved communities, to pursue 
careers in aviation and aerospace.
  Since 2018, Lt. Col. Custodio has supported the Experimental Aviation 
Association (EAA) and has moderated several all-female aviation panels 
during AirVenture at Oshkosh, WI. As a STEM advocate, she also 
volunteers her time as a speaker and role model at local schools, 
universities, corporations, and military base groups, encouraging young 
women and men to reach for their dreams.
  Lt. Col. Custodio is a mentor with the Women in Aviation 
International, Aviation Explorers, and the School of Aeronautics of the 
InterAmerican University in Puerto Rico. In 2017, she was inducted into 
the San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame.
  Lt. Col. Custodio recently co-authored the ``Latinas in Aviation'' 
anthology and is included

[[Page E1124]]

as one of the 30 inspiring Latinas and Latinos who have shaped the 
United States in ``Nuestra America,'' published by the Smithsonian 
Institution. She is the honoree of the 35th Hispanic Heritage 
Foundation--2022 STEM Award.
  By pioneering many firsts during her career, Lt. Col. Custodio has 
shattered stereotypes and served as a powerful role model for those 
aspiring to become a pilot. As a pioneer who overcame tremendous 
challenges to excel in a male-dominated profession, she gained 
essential life insights and perspectives that she shares with everyone, 
especially women working to achieve their dreams.
  Lt. Col. Custodio lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband of 48 
years, Edwin, and they have two children, Marcia and Edwin II, and one 
grandson, Jedi.
  Madam Speaker--I am proud to recognize a member of the San Antonio 
community who is a shining example of our country's strength in 
diversity. Lt. Col. Custodio is an inspiration to the Latino community 
and continues to display an immense commitment to public service. I'm 
grateful that her knowledge and experience have helped usher in the 
next generation of military leaders. I wish her and her family the 
best.

                          ____________________