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




                     IOWA CITY 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 
Iowa City 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 Iowa City Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant 
totaling $1 million which it used to help build Tate Alternative High 
School. The district also received a 2004 construction grant for 
$500,000 to build an addition at Kirkwood Elementary School which 
includes a gymnasium and three kindergarten classrooms and to build an 
addition at Grant Wood Elementary School which includes a gymnasium, a 
family resource center and a prekindergarten classroom. These schools 
are the modern, state-of-the-art facilities that befit the educational 
ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, they are the 
kind of schools that every child in America deserves. The district also 
received a $250,000 fire safety grant to make improvements at City High 
School.
  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 Iowa City Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Toni Cilek, Liz 
Crooks, Mike Cooper, Patti Fields, Jan Leff, Gayle Klouda, Tim Krumm 
and Michael Shaw and former board members Pete Wallace, Matt 
Goodlaxson, Lauren Reece, Don Jackson, David Franker and Aletia Morgan 
as well as superintendent Lane Plugge and physical plant director Paul 
Schultz.
  The Iowa City Community School District passed a $39 million bond 
issue to modernize facilities throughout the district including the 
three projects discussed earlier. I would like to recognize Charlie 
Funk and Sarah Swisher for their leadership on Yes for Kids Committee 
and the cities of Iowa City and Coralville for their partnerships with 
the district.
  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 Iowa City 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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