[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8123-S8124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  COMMENDING PERRY 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 
Perry 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 Perry Community School District received Harkin grants totaling 
$505,095 which it used to help build two

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additions at the high school to provide additional classrooms and 
administrative offices and to make fire safety repairs in the middle 
school. 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 new schools like Perry High School 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 Perry Community School District. 
In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the board of 
education--President Dave Menz, Vice President Kathy Powell, Dan 
Wilhelmi, Darek Vankirk, Scott Seeley, board secretary Nancy Gee and 
board treasurer Dwayne Hochhalter and former board members--Gary Huitt, 
Kent Feiedrichsen, Larry Lyons, Rudy Zagar, board secretary Mary Boege, 
Chuck Painter, Shirley Keenan-Allyn and board secretary Dean Stumbo. I 
would also like to recognize Superintendent Randall McCaulley, former 
Superintendent Ellen Wrzeski, high school principal Dan Marburger and 
the Kids 2000 Committee.
  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 ultra modern 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.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Perry 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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