[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 155 (Saturday, September 27, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10000]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     VAN BUREN 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 Van Buren 
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 Van Buren Community School District received a 2002 Harkin grant 
totaling $837,000. These funds were used to build a school library 
which is also available to the community, a lunchroom, an art and music 
room and a meeting space at the Douds Elementary School. With a 
financial commitment from the community through the passage of a local 
option sales tax and a contribution from the Van Buren Foundation, the 
Douds Elementary School created a safe and supportive learning 
environment.
  In 2003, a second Harkin grant for $500,000 was awarded to the Van 
Buren School District. Matching funds came from a generous donation 
from the William M. and Donna J. Hoaglin Foundation. The funds were 
used for the remodeling of the art and music room at Stockport 
Elementary School, and to add another pre-school classroom at the 
Birmingham Early Childhood Center. 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.
  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 Van Buren Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Tony Huffman, Terry 
Jester, Dick Hornberg, Sheila Parsons, Stan Whitten, Karen McEntee and 
Brian Starnes and former board members Jon Finney, Dixie Daugherty, 
Jean McIntosh, Monte Humble, Bill Shewmaker and Dr. Tim Blair. I would 
also like to recognize superintendent Karen Stinson, former 
superintendent Richard Barton and principal Charles Russell.
  The projects would not have been possible without the financial 
support of two local foundations and I would like to recognize the 
board of directors of the Hoaglin Foundation; and the Van Buren 
Foundation board of directors, whose members include Art Ovrom, Dean 
Folker, Jon Finney, B.R. Poole, Steve Kisling, Rex Strait, Sandy 
McLain, Davis Pollock, Rich Lytle, Jim Dorothy, Butch Gates, Matt 
Manning, Jeanne Erickson, John O. Manning, Don VonSeggen, Pat Miller, 
George Manning, Mary J. Smith, Allen Gunn and Crystal Cronk.
  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 Van Buren 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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