[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 150 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9197]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CENTRAL LYON 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 
Central Lyon 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 Central Lyon Community School District received a 2002 Harkin 
grant totaling $623,711 which it used to help make improvements 
including disability access and to build a community room and fitness 
center. This facility is used not only to promote wellness, but as a 
morning alternative school for the local community. The district also 
received three fire safety grants totaling $31,765 which it used to 
install emergency lighting and stairs and to update smoke and heat 
detectors and alarms in the elementary school. 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 Central Lyon Community School District. In particular, I would like 
to recognize the leadership of the board of education—president 
Steve Sieperda, Dr. Chet DeJong, Pat McCarty, Judy Gacke and Gail Van 
Berkum and former board members president Bruce Vogel, Marilyn Mammenga 
and Tom Wall. I would also like to recognize superintendent David 
Ackerman, former superintendent Bill Hutchinson, business manager 
Jackie Wells and former board business manager Robin Kilgore.
  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 Central Lyon 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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