BOSTON, MA- Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Senator John F. Kerry, and Representative Michael E. Capuano today announced that Brigham and Women's Hospital will receive a grant of $460,000 from the Department of Homeland Security to study the processes that airport screeners use to check for explosives and attempt to find ways to make baggage screening more efficient and less subject to error.

Senator Kennedy said, "There is no doubt that terrorists continue to target our airplanes and airports. One of the best ways to stop them is to improve how baggage is screened.  This well-deserved funding will help the dedicated scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital make air travel safer for all Americans, and I commend DHS for providing the grant."

Senator Kerry said, ""Five years after the attacks of 9/11 our country is not nearly as safe
as it can and should be," Senator Kerry said. "This grant comes as welcome news for the scientists at Brigham and Women's Hospital as they study ways to make flying safer for all Americans."

"This funding will help Brigham and Women's Hospital use their expertise to study ways we can improve airport screening technology. This is a critical component of making air travel safer," stated Congressman Mike Capuano.

Dr. Jeremy Wolfe, the research leader of the group using the grant said, "My team and I are excited to apply our human vision and visual attention expertise to this key challenge of making sure our planes are safe for the traveling public."