[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 145 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8476-S8477]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CLEAR LAKE COMMUNITY SCHOOL 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 
Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant 
totaling $1 million which it used to help build an addition to the high 
school to provide new classrooms for science, family and consumer 
science and art. 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. The district also received fire safety grants 
totaling $127,481 to install new fire alarms and detectors in several 
schools in the district.
  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 Clear Lake Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Ron Andrews, Tom 
Lovell, Paul Stevenson, Sandy Christ and Deborah Betz and former board 
members Joel Secory, Michael Baker, Lynn Scribbins and Tammy 
Schwichtenberg. I would also like to recognize superintendent Dwight 
Pierson, former superintendent Dr. Michael Tegland, former high school 
principal John Chalstrom, facilities director Kelly McLaughlin, high 
school principal Jay Mathis, business manager Lorna Leerar and 
facilities coordinator for AEA 267 Bill Schutz.
  As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in

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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 got to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Clear Lake 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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