[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 16, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8848-S8849]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                     BURLINGTON 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 
Burlington 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 Burlington Community School District received a 2006 Harkin grant 
totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new elementary school. 
Sunnyside Elementary is a modern, state-of-the-art facility that befits 
the educational ambitions and excellence of

[[Page S8849]]

this school district. Indeed, it is the kind of school facility that 
every child in America deserves.
  Excellent new schools like Sunnyside 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 Burlington Community School 
District. In particular, I would like to recognize the leadership of 
the board of education--president Thomas Greene, vice president Dennis 
Kuster, Gary Imthurn, Melanie Richardson, Don Harter, Linda Garwood, 
Scott Smith and former board members Tom Courtney, John Sandell, Joseph 
Abrisz, Steven Hoth, Jason Sapsin and Joseph Poisel. I would also like 
to recognize superintendent Leland Morrison, former superintendent 
Michael Book, director of maintenance and construction manager Byron 
Whittlesey and principal Terri Rauhaus.
  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 Burlington 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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