[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8121-S8122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMENDING ALLAMAKEE COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United 
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools 
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores 
are among the highest in the Nation.
  I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated 
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Allamakee 
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a 
unique federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
  This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction 
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among 
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin Grants for Iowa public 
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school 
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair 
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new 
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal 
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it 
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
  The Allamakee Community School District received a 2004 Harkin Grant 
totaling $394,382 for a collaborative project addressing a myriad of 
needs throughout the community. After eight failed efforts to pass a 
referendum to make improvements to the high school, it was time to 
think outside the box.
  Community leaders established the PRIDE committee to undertake a 
comprehensive planning process that looked at the needs of the school 
district as well as those of the community. The result was a proposal 
to renovate the high school and build an addition to the existing 
building. The committee also recommended building a new facility across 
the street from the high school to house a satellite center for 
Northeast Iowa Community College, a community wellness center, a senior 
center, and a youth center. This project was a unique partnership 
between the school district, city, county and community college. And 
their hard work paid off with the passage of a $10 million bond issue 
approved by 78 percent of the voters.
  Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a 
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned 
citizens. I salute the patrons, staff, administration, and governance 
in the Allamakee Community School District.
  I would like to recognize a number of individuals for their 
outstanding leadership on the project, in particular, members of the 
Allamakee PRIDE Committee--Michael Meyers from Veterans Memorial 
Hospital, Dave Martin from Martin Funeral Home, Dennis Lyons from 
Farmers and Merchant's Bank, Joe Cunningham from the Waukon City 
Council, Patty Fosaaen from the Allamakee Board of Education, 
superintendent of schools David Herold and former superintendent of 
schools John Speer. I would also like to recognize members of the 
Allamakee County Board of Supervisors--Kathy Campbell, Lenny Burke, and 
the late Bill Clark; members of the Board of Education--President Tom 
Baxter, Bob Hager, Scott Melcher, Dwight Watkins and former member 
Sheryl Evanson; members of the Waukon City Council--former mayor Dwight 
Jones, Steve Wiedner, Rod Peterson and former members Drew Hager and 
Duane DeWalle; and several key school district administrators--
buildings and grounds manager Dennis Mahr, business manager Janice Rea, 
junior high principal Joe Griffith and assistant high school principal 
Bob Wasson. Finally, I would recognize some of the personnel 
responsible for grant writing and for the bond referendum--Safe 
Schools/Healthy Students project director Barb Winters, elementary 
principal Ann Hart, Gail Prestemon from Waukon State Bank, Mary Jo 
Meyer from Farm Bureau Financial Services and Allamakee Community 
School District librarian Linda Groe.
  As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin School Grant Program in 
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings 
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation 
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, 
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The 
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United 
States is nearly 50 years.
  Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming 
sports arenas on weekends but during the week go to school in rundown 
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our 
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.

[[Page S8122]]

  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Allamakee Community School District. There is no question that a 
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that 
community. I salute them and wish them a very successful new school 
year.

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