[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9643-S9644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   BELMOND-KLEMME 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 Belmond-
Klemme 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 Belmond-Klemme Community School District received a 2005 Harkin

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grant totaling $500,000 which it used to help build a new elementary 
school. This new school is part of the district's goal to modernize 
schools in the district which will include renovating the high school. 
The new elementary 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 $100,000 to install new fire alarms, to update electrical 
wiring and to make other safety improvements in schools 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 Belmond-Klemme Community School District. In particular, I would 
like to recognize the leadership of the board of education--Jim 
Swenson, Dennis Lowenberg, Claude Post, Steve Tenold, Mark Jenison, 
Lynn Loux and Curt Stadtlander and former board members Jodi Pentico, 
Kevin Brunes and the late Stan Olsen. I would also like to recognize 
superintendent Larry Frakes, interim superintendent Dave Sextro, grant 
writer Trish Morris, maintenance director Steve Dougherty, the 
committee supporting passage of the bond referendum and Richard O. 
Jacobson for his generous financial contribution to 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 Belmond-Klemme 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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