Last week, the Attorney General addressed the nation about the arrest of a suspect intending to detonate a "dirty bomb" — conventional explosives that scatter radioactive material. The FBI and CIA, working in partnership, were able to foil this plot, and the suspected terrorist is in custody.
Unfortunately, there will be other efforts to hurt our citizens, infringe on liberty, and disrupt our way of life. The resilience of the American people, the leadership of President Bush, and the technological vision of Maine's entrepreneurs all will be brought to bear in the fight to prevent those efforts from succeeding.
I am proud to have supported three exemplary defense-oriented small businesses in Maine by securing federal funding for their cutting-edge research and development projects. Federal support of such projects advances the fight against terrorism as well as enables small businesses to grow and create good jobs.
One of these small firms, Sensor Research and Development Corporation in Orono, is developing highly effective sensors to detect the presence of chemical and biological agents. These sensors are so small that soldiers could wear them on the battlefield, and so sensitive that they can detect trace amounts of dangerous agents. I first visited this company three years ago when it had only 11 employees and two rooms. Today, it is providing stimulating, well-paid jobs to 45 people, many of them University of Maine graduates, and occupies an entire building. Sensor Research and Development will play an important part in dealing with a possible chemical or biological attack in the United States. In next year's federal budget, I've requested that this company receive additional funding from the Defense Department to assist in the further development of its sensor program.
Last month, I toured another high-tech small business, Technology Systems, Inc., a Wiscasset company that specializes in the creation of virtual world systems, network applications, and advanced software systems. Laser cutting and welding for ship building are also among its projects that promises to reduce construction costs for the destroyers built at Bath Iron Works while affording designers greater flexibility.
In addition, Technology Systems is assisting with the Navy's goal of "paperless" navigation capabilities. Its work is helping to create computer-generated graphics for military personnel stationed on watch and for the Coast Guard. This technology also will better protect our harbors and seaports.
Applied Thermal Sciences, headquartered in Sanford, is working with Technology Systems on the laser cutting and welding project. Applied Thermal Sciences is also engaged in several other research and development projects including hypersonic missile propulsion, computer simulations, advanced engine technology, and advanced electrical power transmission and generation technologies.
In several cases, the work performed by these small businesses evolved from research originating at the University of Maine. The University also stands to benefit from funding I have obtained in the Department of Defense Authorization bill to develop several technologies that will benefit our military and thus make us more secure as a nation.
Maine's entrepreneurial spirit coupled with its educational excellence will help to protect our homeland and to win the war against terrorism. Providing federal research and development dollars to Maine's business and the University system is an investment in our country's security and our state's economy.