[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              COMMENDING INDEPENDENCE 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 Independence 
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 Independence Community School District received two Harkin grants 
totaling $450,000. A 1999 fire safety grant for $100,000 was used to 
install smoke detectors and replace doors at the high school. A 2005 
grant totaling $350,000 was used to help build the Early Childhood 
Center to provide five classrooms for prekindergarten programs. This 
school is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits the 
educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, 
it is the kind of school facility that every child in America deserves.
  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 entire staff, administration, and governance in 
the Independence Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education, President Dawnye 
Sturtz, Vice President K.C. Robb, Joseph Olsen, Charlie McCardle, and 
John Christiansen; former board members, Martin Brown, Kevin Greenley, 
Bob Reiff, and Shelly Whited, as well as elementary principal Dr. Mary 
Jean Blaisdell and Superintendent Devin Embray.
  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 got to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Independence 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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