October 26, 2001

(Newark, DE) Delaware Congressman Mike Castle today toured Quantum Leap Innovations, a
cutting-edge bio-defense firm, and announced that he secured $5 million in the Fiscal Year 2002 Defense Appropriations Bill for their integrated biological warfare technology platform, to detect suspicious agents and disease which enter the environment and to organize a rapid response plan to address these issues and protect Delawareans.  

"This kind of innovation is the type of technology our nation needs to respond to the very real threats of anthrax and small pox as well as the broader issues of nuclear and chemical warfare," Castle said.  "The State of Delaware is quickly becoming a center for technology in the Mid-Atlantic region and I am pleased the federal government has seen fit to fulfill my request to fund this program."
  
The computer-based knowledge provided in Quantum-Leap's Bio-Defense system will be used to detect potential biological or chemical outbreaks through intricate sensors that could be placed on traffic lights, reservoirs or in other areas. The sensors will identify the offending agents, send alerts to the appropriate health and safety centers and allow for real time formulation of response plans to contain and even prevent the disease

"This project illustrates the crucial role intelligent software can play in the antiterrorism efforts and the capabilities of Delaware high-tech companies and universities to be major players in that effort," Castle added.  "The bio-defense program is the first step in Quantum Leap's's plans to develop a comprehensive counter-terrorism project."

The House is expected to vote on Fiscal Year 2002 Defense Appropriations Bill next week.  Senator Biden and Senator Carper are working to secure funding for this project in the Senate Defense Appropriation Bill.

At his press conference, Castle also praised President Bush for signing the PATRIOT Act,  comprehensive anti-terrorism legislation, into law today.   The PATRIOT Act (Provide Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) expands wiretapping and surveillance authority, strengthens money-laundering laws and seeks to disrupt terrorist cells.

The following provisions of Castle’s Visa Integrity and Security Act were included in the PATRIOT Act:

1. The sense of Congress regarding the need to expedite implementation of the integrated entry and exit data system.  An automated system to track visa holders to determine their legal status in real-time.

2. The Attorney General is to implement this integrated entry and exit data system with particular focus on biometric technology and development of tamper-resistant visas to provide highest degree of positive identification possible to federal and local law enforcement officials.

3. Requires Data system to be able to interface with law enforcement database for use by federal law enforcement agencies and requires the participation of the Office of Homeland Security on the entry-exit task force. 

4. Requires a report from the Office of Homeland Security on whether our federal agencies need to collect additional types of information from visa applicants to determine whether they are linked to terrorism. 

5. Requires student tracking systems to include flight school students.

Castle will keep pushing to require schools to report to the INS within 30 days of the start of the school term if the holder of a student visa by that school does not begin coursework.  He will also push to requite businesses to report to the INS when they  hire H-1B visa workers who do not show up or stop working for them.
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