[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S8944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SPENCER 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 Spencer 
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 Spencer Community School District received a 2003 Harkin grant 
totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a science classroom 
addition to the high school and remodel family and consumer science 
classrooms. The district also received two fire safety grants totaling 
$200,000 for a new fire alarm system at the high school and other 
improvements in schools throughout the district. 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 Spencer Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Edward Ver Steeg, 
Barb Van Wyk, Dean Mechler, Dave Schlichtemeier and Les Zobrist and 
former board members Ross Brockshus, Randy Van Dyke, Sue Harman and 
Scott De Geest. I would also like to recognize superintendent Greg 
Ebeling, former superintendent Glen Lohman, assistant superintendent 
Kathy Elliott, former high school principal Mike Healy and grant writer 
Mary Maly.
  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 Spencer 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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