[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E630]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF RETIRED SAN MATEO POLICE DEPARTMENT CAPTAIN KEVIN 
                               RAFFAELLI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2010

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Kevin Raffaelli, who 
retired as a Captain with the San Mateo Police Department in December 
of 2008 after 30 years of dedicated and loyal service.
  I must note that last year Kevin continued his law enforcement 
service on an on-call basis and on August 24, 2009 was credited with 
preventing a pipe bomb suspect from carrying out a potentially 
catastrophic event at Hillsdale High School. For this heroic action he 
was awarded the prestigious Medal of Valor, proving again, that some of 
us get better with age.
  The list of commendations for Kevin is long and meritorious and many 
involve the apprehension of burglary subjects during the commission of 
a crime. He is well known throughout San Mateo County for his expertise 
in tactical deployment and special operations at events. He was, for 
example, commander of the Countywide Tactical Chemical Assault Team, a 
model operation replicated by other municipalities after 9/11.
  He played key roles in coordinating security for numerous dignitaries 
visiting the San Francisco Bay Area, including President Bill Clinton, 
President George W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter as well as Israeli 
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and British Prime Minister Margaret 
Thatcher.
  Kevin grew up in the city of South San Francisco where his brother, 
Mark, served as the chief of police, so Kevin's thirst for public 
safety runs deep in his family.
  Madam Speaker, Kevin Raffaelli has served his fellow citizens to the 
utmost of his ability and he has saved lives in the process. I commend 
him and wish that he and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy this well-earned 
retirement.

                          ____________________