[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 26, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E86]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   COMMENDING THE SAN MATEO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE CANINE UNIT FOR 
                      EXCELLENT COMMUNITY SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 26, 2005

  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the opportunity to recognize 
the tireless work of the forty-four year old San Mateo County Sheriff's 
Office Canine Unit, as it continues to serve the people of San Mateo 
County. As the longest running canine unit in the state of California, 
the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit is the only such unit 
in San Mateo County to provide full time patrol coverage, twenty-four 
hours a day, seven days per week.
  The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit was founded by 
Sergeant Bill Sweeney in 1961 with the purchase of three German 
shepherd dogs. Since its meager beginnings, the Canine Unit currently 
maintains twelve highly trained canine teams, which have various 
specialties. Each canine is trained in and performs general patrol 
practices such as obedience, handler protection and suspect searches. 
These canine teams are also assigned to and trained in expert detection 
of narcotics, tracking and explosives.
  Over four decades of service, the Canine Unit has located hundreds of 
wanted felony suspects, uncovered tons of narcotics, and performed 
numerous explosive detection sweeps for United States' presidents, 
Senators, Representatives and foreign dignitaries.
  In addition to protecting the citizens of San Mateo County, the 
Canine Unit also performs an average of thirty canine demonstrations 
per year for community and church groups, and middle and elementary 
schools. I became acquainted with this excellent Unit and its myriad 
accomplishments and abilities at one of these superb demonstrations.
  On October 16, 2004, in conjunction with the public opening of ``Art 
that Speaks for Homeless Pets,'' an art exhibit by animal rights 
activist and artist Cyrus Mejia, and photographer Clay Myers, at the 
San Mateo County History Museum, my wife Annette and I had the pleasure 
of attending one of these demonstrations. The Canine Unit brought five 
impressively trained German Shepherds to illustrate the precision and 
professionalism with which both the canines and their officers carry 
out explosive and narcotic detection.
  I'd like to recognize the capabilities of the five teams that 
successfully entertained and educated the attendees:
  Deputy Andy Armando and K9 Ando
  Deputy Rod Larmour and K9 Abe
  Deputy Todd Finato and K9 Vito
  Deputy Keith James and K9 Haus
  Deputy Sean O'Donnell and K9 Colt.
  While I am an adamant animal lover and animal rights activist in my 
own right, indisputably, I was not the only spectator captivated by the 
animals discipline and sweetness. Indeed, all individuals in attendance 
were astonished and delighted to see the work of these loyal, well-
trained canines and their equally dedicated officers.
  According to Sergeant Mark M. Duri, Bomb Technician and Canine 
Trainer, the goal of these demonstrations is to educate the public of 
the great service the twelve canine and handler teams provide for San 
Mateo County. Moreover, the demonstration also functions to educate 
younger school children on the dangers of drug abuse and entanglement.
  It is with gratitude to the long standing quality of service and 
protection provided for the residents of San Mateo County, that I 
sincerely commend the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office Canine Unit's 
continued excellence.

                          ____________________