[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ESTHERVILLE-LINCOLN CENTRAL 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 
Estherville-Lincoln Central 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 Estherville-Lincoln Central Community School District received 
three fire safety grants totaling $350,000 to make safety improvements 
throughout the district, including the installation of new fire alarm 
systems at the elementary and middle schools and replacement of doors 
and hardware at the high school. The Federal grants have made it 
possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for their 
students.
  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 Estherville-Lincoln Central Community School District. In 
particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of the Board of 
Education--president Molly Anderson, vice president Karen Butler, Nancy 
Anderson, Mike Karels, Don Schlitz, Jodie Grieg, and Duane Schnell and 
former board members, Gordon Juhl, Tom Ross, and Gary Feddern. I would 
also like to recognize superintendent Richard Magnuson, elementary 
principal Kris Schlievert, former middle school principal Steve 
Schroeder, former high school principal Susan Bish, business manager 
Kate Woods, maintenance supervisors Al Hall and Larry Enderson, 
Estherville Police Chief Eric Milburn and Estherville Fire Chief Randy 
Cody.
  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 Estherville-Lincoln Central 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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