ORGA Card Systems and CIS, Inc. to Testify on Behalf of the Introduction of a Smart Card-Based Driver's License in Pennsylvania

    PAOLI, Pa.--May 8, 2001--In an effort to help pass House Bill No. 175, which would add features such as biometrics and smart card technology to drivers' licenses, Senior Business Development Manager Frank Barbalace and Jim Curran, President of CIS, Inc. will testify on behalf of ORGA Card Systems in front the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.
    The Public Hearing on Identity Theft will begin on Wednesday, May 9, 2001.
    ORGA Card Systems is currently one of the world's leaders and specialists in microprocessor-based Smart Card solutions and systems. ORGA has pioneered in the area of Smart Card Technology and has played a major role in defining the Smart Card environment in Europe since 1985.
    Frank Barbalace and Jim Curran will demonstrate the effectiveness of smart cards for identification purposes, using the smart card and biometrics-based Indian State of Gujarat as a reference.
    "It's not a question of if we will have a smart card driver's license in the United States," stated Frank Barbalace, "but rather when will we have one."
    House Bill 175 would require the use of smart card technology and biometric imaging on all Pennsylvania commercial and noncommercial driver's licenses and state identification cards. Smart Cards, which contain an embedded chip, and the use of biometrics could decrease identity theft.
    Stored information on the chipcard will include the following: license number, the driver's name, date of birth, address, physical description, digital signature, fingerprint image, license expiration date, class of vehicle the driver is authorized to drive, and any restrictions or endorsements. The design of the license would remain the same, except for the addition of the chip.
    The driver's license issuance project in the Indian State of Gujarat demonstrates the use of cutting edge biometrics and chip cards. The smart card license stores the cardholder's fingerprint and digital signature, as well as personal information. Gujarat is the first authority in the world to introduce a smart card driver's license project that uses fingerprint biometrics.
    ORGA Smart Card Issuance stations provide a one-stop location that allows for the entire process to be completed in one trip. The issuance stations consist of smart card personalization equipment, which consists of a PC, smart card printer, video camera, fingerprint capture device, and a signature tablet, as well as customized software.
    At the project's completion, approximately 10 million smart card licenses will be issued.
    ORGA USA is the North American subsidiary of ORGA Kartensysteme GmbH Germany, a pioneer and global leader in smart card technology since 1985. Application areas include: telecommunications, health care, retail/loyalty, banking, personal ID, and other emerging markets.
    ORGA has established subsidiaries, branch offices, and joint ventures in Brazil, China, Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, and the United States. Visit our Web Site at www.orga.com
    Curran Information Systems, Inc. provides marketing and information and database management for the insurance and financial service industry. As part of CFG, Inc., the company has provided consulting and management services to providers of insurance and benefits for individuals and companies.