[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9017-S9018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ARMSTRONG-RINGSTED 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 
Armstrong-Ringsted 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 Armstrong-Ringsted Community School District received a 2002 
Harkin grant totaling $1 million which it used to help build an 
addition to replace a 1915 building. The new building includes a 
science lab, an activity center/gymnasium and 10 classrooms. This

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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 fire safety grants totaling $107,000 to make 
improvements throughout the district.
  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 Armstrong-Ringsted Community School District. In particular, I'd 
like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Rod Foster, 
Paul Stevens, Howard Taylor, Betsey Ulrich, Don Looft and former 
members Marti Kindrick, Dale Anderson, Jan Hampton, Tom Mart, Greg 
Buum, Lisa McConnell, Greg Anderson, Anita Larsen, and Rick 
Steinberger. I would also like to recognize superintendent Randy 
Collins, former superintendent Robert Raymer, board secretary Deb 
Obbink and building director Tom Mart.
  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 Armstrong-Ringsted Community School District. There is no question 
that a quality public education for every child is a top priority in 
those communities. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new 
school year.

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