[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 154 (Friday, September 26, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9644-S9645]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       JESUP 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 Jesup 
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 Jesup Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant 
totaling $1 million which it used to help build a new school to serve 
students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. This 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 $71,800 in fire safety grants.
  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

[[Page S9645]]

collaboration among local officials and concerned citizens. I salute 
the entire staff, administration, and governance in the Jesup Community 
School District. In particular, I would like to recognize the 
leadership of the board of education--Staci Brown, Fritz Demuth, 
Leonard Harting, Roxanne Masteller, Lisa Riensche, Jim Phillips and 
Todd Rohlfsen and former board members Gin Vogel, Kevin McCombs, Brenda 
Schmit, Dawn Quackenbush and Larry Thompson. I would also like to 
recognize superintendent Sarah Pinion, former superintendent Terry 
Christie, board secretary Mary Anne Harrold and the individuals 
involved with the Vote Yes Committee.
  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 Jesup 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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