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




                      OELWEIN 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 
Oelwein 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 Oelwein Community School District received three Harkin grants 
totaling $1,129,212. The 1998 grant for $250,000 helped build the 
Oelwein Early Childhood Learning Center to provide classrooms for 
prekindergarten, pre-school, child care, Head Start and before and 
after school programs. The 1999 grant for $750,000 helped build the 
Williams Performing Arts Center and Oelwein Wellness Center. The 2005 
grant for $129,212 helped build the Regional Academy for Math Science 
and Technology. 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 Oelwein Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Jim Moeller, 
Charlene Stocker, David Schmidt, Kathy Adams, Jean Nelson, Candace King 
and Rick Myott and former board members Mary Davis, Harlan Peterson, 
Dave Lorenzen, Tim Conrey, Dr. George Harper, Marilyn Miller and Becky 
Hamann as well as superintendent James Patera, former superintendent 
Dr. Kent Mutchler, business manager/board secretary Joan Loew and 
former business manager/board secretary Keith Jarchow.
  The city of Oelwein has been an important partner with the school 
district so I would like to recognize mayor Larry Murphy, former mayor 
Gene Vine, city manager Steven Kendall, and members of the city 
council--Mike Kerns, Paul Ryan, Duane Brandt, John Gosse, Nathan Lein, 
Rex Ericson and former members Viola Sims, Curt Solsma, Jacqueline 
Greco, Charles Geilenfeld, James Mazziotti, Terry Pepin and Duane Ohrt 
as well as community members Kevin Brooks, Lyle Miller and Tom Masey.
  The projects also received strong support from the Greater Oelwein 
Area Charitable Foundation, Inc and I would like to recognize board 
members Donald Avenson, Stephen Bisenius, Steven Falck, Donald Frazer, 
Gene Fuelling and Ronald Van Veldlhuizen.
  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 Oelwein 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.

                          ____________________