[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 149 (Thursday, September 18, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9020-S9021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    NEW HAMPTON 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 New 
Hampton 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

[[Page S9021]]

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 New Hampton Community School District received a 2001 Harkin 
grant totaling $275,000 which it used to help build a community fitness 
center in collaboration with the city of New Hampton. The district also 
received a 2002 grant for $260,000 to install a new HVAC system at the 
high school and four fire safety grants totaling $218,817 to make 
improvements to 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 New Hampton Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Deb Larsen, Bob 
Smith, Terry Anderson, Tom Rasmussen and Kevin Rieck and former board 
members Rich Stochl, Rick Holthaus, Tom Gansen, George Feazell, Virgil 
Pickar, Gerald Johnson, Dr. Todd Becker, Rich Goodwin, David Utterback 
and Clarence Kriener. I would also like to recognize superintendent 
Stephen Nicholson, former superintendents Bob Longmuir and Terry 
Christie, business manager and supervisor of buildings and grounds Bob 
Ayers, curriculum coordinator Linda Kennedy, high school principal 
Richard Evans, activities director Kelly O'Donnell, New Hampton Mayor 
Darwin Sittig and the New Hampton City Council, Chairman Steve Dahl and 
members of the board of trustees for the New Hampton Municipal Light 
Plant, Chip Schwickerath and Willis Hansen from the GIFT Campaign, and 
Lynn Schwickerath from the New Hampton Booster Club.
  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 New Hampton 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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