August 23, 2006

San Mateo -- Rep. Anna Eshoo and Sen. Barbara Boxer on Wednesday toured the new facilities at the San Mateo County Forensic Crime Lab, where there were recognized with a plaque by Sheriff Don Horsley for all their work to procure necessary funding for this unique facility.

They were joined by San Mateo County Supervisor Jerry Hill, President of the Board of Supervisors, which partnered with Rep. Eshoo and Senator Boxer to make these facilities possible. They received a warm welcome from the entire staff, especially Forensic Specialist Katie Lassiter, Employee of the Year.

The Forensic Crime Lab provides support for all law enforcement agencies in the area, including the FBI, DEA and the ATF. The tour included demonstrations from the DNA Lab, the Drug Lab, the Trace Analysis Lab, the Latent Fingerprint Lab and the Firearms Lab.

Over the past two years, Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, worked hard to secure $1.1 million in funding to upgrade the equipment of the crime lab; with $600,000 appropriated in 2006 and $500,000 in 2005. Her FY07 funding request included $3.9 million for further upgrades.

[CBS 5 coverage]