[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 140 (Tuesday, October 7, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF SHERIFF DON HORSLEY

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                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 7, 2003

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an extraordinary leader of 
San Mateo County, California, Sheriff Don Horsley, who is being awarded 
the 2003 Distinguished Citizens Award by the Pacific Skyline Council of 
the Boy Scouts of America.
  Don Horsley was first elected Sheriff of San Mateo County in June 
1993, with a law enforcement career that spanned more than thirty 
years. He began as a patrol officer in Daly City and later served as a 
patrol deputy in East Palo Alto. In these positions, he learned to 
effectively respond to the needs and concerns of citizens as he worked 
directly with them in their communities.
  Sheriff Horsley has been unwavering in his commitment to the people 
of the communities of San Mateo County. In 1992, when the small 
community of East Palo Alto was given the dubious title of being the 
nation's ``murder capital,'' Sheriff Horsley made a promise to the 
people of East Palo Alto that the Sheriff's office would help the 
community and make it the safe place its residents deserved. 
Immediately, 18 Sheriff's Deputies began working with the East Palo 
Alto Police Department and within 3 years, violent crimes were down 54 
percent and homicides decreased by an astounding 86 percent. Because of 
Sheriff Horsley's commitment, the San Mateo County Sheriff's office 
continues to work with the City of East Palo Alto to ensure that its 
law enforcement needs are fully met.
  Sheriff Horsley is a caring and compassionate law enforcement leader. 
During the expansion of the Maguire Correctional Facility, Sheriff 
Horsley ensured that the project included facilities for mental and 
health care, substance abuse recovery, and educational and religious 
needs for inmates.
  Sheriff Horsley is a leader among his colleagues in law enforcement. 
He has served on the Board of Directors of the California Peace 
Officers' Association, the San Mateo County Criminal Justice Council, 
the San Mateo County Vehicle Theft Task Force, the County Narcotic Task 
Force, and the Northern California High Intensity Drug Trafficking 
Area, among many other organizations.
  Beyond his career in law enforcement, Sheriff Horsley is dedicated to 
improving the education and the lives of youth. He is not only a former 
classroom teacher and a Board Member of Redwood City's Garfield Charter 
School, but he is also a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. 
He has been instrumental in the Law Enforcement Exploring program, the 
Boy Scouts' STAR Camp and the Sea Scouting program. Sheriff Horsley has 
served as Co-chair of the Attorney General and State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction's Safe Schools Task Force.
  Mr. Speaker, I'm proud to call Don Horsley my friend and I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring and thanking Sheriff Horsley for his 
extraordinary service to our community, our state and our nation.




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