WELCOMING CAPTAIN GLOVER HOME

On 2026-06-10, Representative Norma J. Torres (D-CA-35) delivered a floor speech titled "WELCOMING CAPTAIN GLOVER HOME" in the House.

WELCOMING CAPTAIN GLOVER HOME

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 98 (Wednesday, June 10, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E560-E561] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WELCOMING CAPTAIN GLOVER HOME ______ HON. NORMA J. TORRES of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Mrs. TORRES of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Captain Glover, and to welcome him back home as he returns to his alma mater, Ontario High School in Ontario, California. Born and raised in my hometown, Pomona, California, Captain Glover received his high school diploma from Ontario High School in 1994. His peers knew him as a ``born leader'' and a hard worker who, even then, spoke about his aspirations of becoming an astronaut. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo as a dual-sport collegiate athlete who competed in both football and wrestling. Captain Glover's remarkable career started long before joining NASA. After college, Victor was commissioned in the United States Navy. He soon began preflight training in Pensacola, Florida. And on December 14, 2001, he completed advanced flight training in Kingsville, Texas, earning his wings of gold. Throughout the early 2000s, he reported to several squadrons, including the Marine Fleet Replacement Squadron in Miramar, California, and the Blue Blasters of Strike Fighter Squadron in Oceana, [[Page E561]] Virginia. With the Blue Blasters, Captain Glover supported Operation Iraqi Freedom by completing the final deployment of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). While deployed, he embarked on earning a Master of Science in Systems Engineering via NPS in Monterey, California. Captain Glover went on to earn multiple master's degrees from various institutions: a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering (USAF TPS), Air University, at Edwards Force Base in California, in 2007, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering (PD-21), Naval Postgraduate School, in 2009, and a Master of Military Operational Art and Science, Air University in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2010. In 2009, he moved to Alabama to serve at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, before reporting to the Dambusters of Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-195 in Atsugi, Japan as a Department Head. With the Dambusters, Glover was deployed on three separate missions to varying locations throughout the Pacific. Captain Glover is also no stranger to working with Congress; in 2012, he was selected for a Legislative Fellowship on Capitol Hill. While working in Washington, D.C., he earned a Certificate in Legislative Studies from Georgetown University. It was during his fellowship that news broke that he was selected as an astronaut candidate. In 2013, Captain Glover was selected to be part of the 21st NASA astronaut class, a class of only eight members. In 2015, after concluding Astronaut Candidate Training, he served as a space station capsule communicator (CapCom), Expedition 52 Increment Lead Crewmember, Operations Officer, and Family Escort for several Soyuz and Crew Dragon launches. Captain Glover was assigned his first spaceflight mission in 2018 as Crew-1 Pilot. The flight launched on November 16, 2020, and headed to the International Space Station (ISS), where he spent 168 days in space before returning to Earth on May 2, 2021. During his time at the ISS, he completed 4 spacewalks, contributed to several scientific research experiments, assisted with maintenance, and conducted outreach activities. This was an unforgettable experience for not only Captain Glover, but also for many students in the Inland Empire who were able to engage with him and a fellow astronaut in a live town hall while they were at the ISS. In 2023, Captain Glover was assigned to his most recent mission, Artemis II. As Pilot, he launched from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026, on a Space Launch System rocket alongside Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. During the mission, he guided the rocket for nearly ten days, completing a historic lunar flyby, demonstrating humanity's return to the Moon's vicinity for the first time in more than five decades. The crew of Artemis II splashed down off the coast of San Diego on April 10, 2026, after venturing 252,756 miles from Earth. It comes as no surprise that Captain Glover's accomplishments are truly stellar, as reflected by his many awards and honors. His awards date back to his youth, including his time at Ontario High School, where he was named the high school's 1994 athlete of the year. Since then, he has received many other honors, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, NASA Distinguished Medal and NASA Space Exploration Medal, 2023 TIME 100 Next, Jet Magazine's inaugural 40 under 40, and Honorary Doctorates of Science from Howard University (2024) and California Polytechnic State University (2025). Beyond his remarkable professional career, he is blessed with a loving family. In 2002, he married Dianna Odom, a Berkeley native, with whom he has four daughters: Genesis, Maya, Joia, and Corinne. His mother still resides in southern California, and his father and stepmother live in Prosper, Texas. Captain Glover is a remarkable success story from California's 35th Congressional District. He is a testament that kids across the Inland Empire can dream big and that no goal is beyond reach. In honor of his return to his alma mater, Ontario High School, on June 12, 2026, it is my privilege to celebrate Captain Glover. His impact on our Nation, globe, and beyond is out of this world. ____________________