[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 17, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8944-S8945]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 VINTON-SHELLSBURG 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 
Vinton-Shellsburg 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/

[[Page S8945]]

or private local funding, so it often has a tremendous multiplier 
effect in a local school district.
  The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District received a 2005 
Harkin grant totaling $400,000 to renovate two schools. The grant 
enabled the school district to build a new commons area and to add an 
elevator at the building in Shellsburg. The district also made 
renovations, installed air-conditioning and built additional classrooms 
and restrooms at Tilford Elementary School.
  This project was part of a comprehensive multimillion dollar plan to 
provide the modern, state-of-the-art facilities that befit the 
educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. The 
United 4 Kids campaign committee worked tirelessly to pass a $15.1 
million bond issue to build a new high school and make improvements 
throughout the district.
  Excellent new 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 Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District. In particular, I would 
like to recognize John Anderson for his involvement with the United 4 
Kids committee and generously donating 35 acres for the new high 
school. I would also like to recognize the leadership of the board of 
education--Brad Allyn, Patrick Lyons, Kathy Tranel, Gerald Horst, Jo 
Sainbury, Todd Wiley and Tim Bird as well as superintendent Randy 
Braden, high school principal Jay Pedersen, Shellsburg principal Shelly 
Petersen and Tilford principal Jim Murray.
  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 do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Vinton-Shellsburg 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.

                          ____________________