[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     EMMETSBURG 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 Emmetsburg 
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 Emmetsburg Community School District received a 2001 Harkin grant 
totaling $133,333 which was used to help build an addition on an 
elementary school. The district has also received $110,085 since 2000 
in fire safety grants which have been used to improve the fire safety 
doors, alarms and smoke detectors in all their buildings. 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 Emmetsburg Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education Karla Anderson, 
Dave Van Oosbree, Kent Egland, Don Hagen, Steve Pelzer, Linda Tienter 
and Laurie Oppenheimer and former board members Gary Kauffman, Dean 
Gunderson, Mary Cooper, Mike Brown, David Kassel, Kris Ausborn and 
Steve Nelson. I would also like to recognize superintendent John Joynt 
and former superintendent Paul Tedesco.
  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 to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Emmetsburg 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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