[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]


[[Page S8944]]
                      SHELDON 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 
Sheldon 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 Sheldon Community School District received a 2001 Harkin grant 
totaling $500,000 which was used to help build a new middle school. 
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 two fire safty grants totaling $75,000 to 
improve their alarms, smoke detectors and fire safety doors. 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 Sheldon Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education Dan Van Gorp, Gary 
Ihnen, Kecia Hickman, Glen Goedken and Harlan Bousema and former board 
members Linda Porter, John Boender and Tom Whorley. I would also like 
to recognize superintendent Robin Spears, middle school principal Cindy 
Barwick and Gene Den Hartog.
  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 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 do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Sheldon 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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